asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why his Department retains publicans and other people who have other occupations and declares ex-Servicemen redundant, in the same Departments, doing the same work.

I do not regard an outside occupation as debarring an officer from employment, so long as he efficiently discharges the duties of his office and complies with the regulations attaching to his particular employment. The discharge of redundant staff is in accordance with the terms of the agreement reached with the Staff Side of the Departmental Whitley Council; ex-Servicemen are given every consideration and are only dispensed with in accordance with this agreement. I do not know what particular case my hon. Friend has in mind, but if he will give me particulars I am quite willing to look into it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman fully realise that when any such question of redundancy occurs, it tends to create suspicion in the minds of the staff concerned? I will certainly let the right hon. Gentleman have the case I have in mind.