asked the Minister of National Insurance whether it is intended that the new Assistance Board should absorb those employees of the Birmingham Corporation at present employed on outdoor assistance.

In common with redundant Public Assistance employees of other local authorities, those of Birmingham will be given the opportunity of applying for Civil Service appointments in the Assist ance Board and the Ministry of National Insurance. Arrangements to this end are now being worked out in consultation with the various bodies concerned.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Birmingham Public Assistance Committee employs nearly 150 people, and has received no instructions or guidance whatever as to the future status and employment of any of those employees?

Negotiations are now proceeding with the local authorities, and by this Question and answer I hope to impress upon them that the matter is now fully under consideration. They will be informed as quickly as possible.

My hon. Friend will, no doubt, bear in mind that the problem is not confined to Birmingham, and that a great many people up and down the country are waiting anxiously to see what the Government propose to do about it.

We estimate that there are 7,500 people employed by local authorities on public assistance. We feel that between 2,000 and 2,500 will remain with the local authorities; we hope that 1,500 will come to the new National Assistance Board; and the remainder will be offered positions with the Ministry of National Insurance.

Is it the intention of His Majesty's Government to give any priority to municipal ex-employees over those people who have been employed by the friendly societies, some of whom are at present unemployed?

As far as those people are concerned, we carry no obligation, but it is understood that many people will be required, and if they register at their local employment exchanges they will be given an opportunity.