Mr. De la Bèreasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will cancel the redundancy notices given to ex-Service personnel employed in the Civil Service in view of the fact that there are being retained in the Government service civil servants over 6o years old with 40 years' pensionability and as married 310W women, whose husbands are in a position to support their families, are being retained as part-time workers.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallNo, Sir. Discharges of temporary civil servants on redundancy are governed by an agreement reached by the National Whitley Council and are, broadly, in order of shortness of service, subject to an exception for ex-Service men of 1914–18 War, who under a long standing pledge have preference for retention. The agreement lays down that, particularly in view of the manpower shortage, no discrimination should be exercised against married women or persons over 60, but staff are only retained in an established capacity beyond that age if there is a real need for their services. In deciding whether to retain an established officer beyond the normal retiring age, a Department would consider the demand for experienced staff in the particular grade and district.