asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that P-class clerks employed in the claims and record office of his Department have recently been prevented from the continued performance of work upon which they have been satisfactorily engaged for many years past, and which is work proper to the established clerical grades, and placed on lower grade work; and will he state why this has been done?

No general transference of any class of clerks from one type of duty to another has been made. Such adjustments as have been found necessary during recent months have been of a minor character, and have followed the principle that work of a superior character should be entrusted to established clerks rather than to temporary and P-class clerks.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that these transfers have not been made on account of the application which has been made that these men should be paid in accordance with the work they are doing?

No, Sir, not to my knowledge.