96. Dr. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for War why, when the Establishment Branch of his Department is recruiting 200 new applicants for employment each week, present temporary employees are being dismissed on grounds of redundancy.
§ Mr. LawsonMy hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed. For practical purposes there has been no recruitment of temporary clerical staff at the War Office in London since early June, although there have been occasional transfers of redundant staff. Except for isolated cases it has not so far been necessary to discharge any temporary civilian clerks at the War Office for redundancy; some notices have been issued, but voluntary wastage has made it possible as a rule to withdraw the notices if the individuals wished to stay. Branches outside London are treated as separate units for this purpose, but where there is redundancy there has been no unnecessary recruitment.