asked the Minister of Pensions how many members of his staff in Blackpool have, since 1st January, 1947, been given notice that their services are no longer required; and, of these, how many are ex-Servicemen of the 1939–45 war.

The numbers are 68 and 8 respectively. The discharges have been determined in accordance with the National Whitley Council Agreement which provides that, in the event of redundancy, those who have been unfavourably reported on, or on efficiency grounds have had to be restricted to particular duties, should be discharged first. The officers in question come within this category and the procedure for selecting them and for hearing appeals was agreed with the Staff Side of the Departmental Whitley Council.

When estimating the efficiency of the young ex-Servicemen of the last war, does the right hon. Gentleman take account of the fact that during these last four or five years they have been engaged in military, naval or Air Force duties?

Yes, Sir.