asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if a number of vacancies for pensions officers exist in the outdoor staff of the Customs and Excise Department; if these officers deal with male and female pensioners; and what special efforts are being made to secure these posts for ex-service men temporarily engaged in the Civil Service but under notice of discharge owing to the reduction in staff?

Vacancies exist in the two grades in the Customs and Excise Outdoor Department, which perform old age pension work, namely, the grade of Customs and Excise officer, members of which combine old age pension work with their revenue duties in certain areas, and the grade of woman pension officer, which is solely engaged on old age pension work. Both grades deal with male and female pensioners. The grade of Customs and Excise officer has been for some time, and is still being, recruited from ex-service men.