§ 53. Mr. R. Harrisasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the hardship that is being caused to over 200 established Government servants by reason of the decision to close the No. 31 Base Workshops, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Ashford, Middlesex; if he is aware that the established persons who are entitled to pensions only are in a more difficult position than the non-established persons by 62W reason of the fact that the latter can claim a lump sum gratuity on leaving Government service; and whether he will arrange for the established persons to be able to claim a gratuity instead of a pension, and also compensation for loss of career prospects.
§ Mr. J. AmeryThe established employees from Ashford will be offered other vacancies. Some will be found work near their present homes, but most of them will have to be offered employment elsewhere. The liability to transfer is made known to all staff who accept establishment. The non-effective benefits which may be given to these men are governed by the Superannuation Acts. and I have no power to alter them, but within the terms of these Acts I shall certainly do as much as possible for them. Since transfer will be offered to all established staff, there is no question of loss of career prospects.