§ 53. Mr. LEWISasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the wording of the regulations governing the appointment of third-class valuers in the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue Department, wherein it is laid down that preference will be given to candidates who served in His Majesty's Forces between 4th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918, but wherein it is also laid down that candidates must be between the ages of 25 and 30 years; and, seeing that even, although a candidate 857 for the purpose of determining his age may deduct from his age time served in His Majesty's Forces between 4th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918, it would appear impossible for those who are old enough to have served between those years to now come within the age limit laid down, will he cause these regulations to be re-drafted so that a preference may be given to ex-service men in making these appointments?
§ Major ELLIOTThe age rules for the recruitment of third-class valuers in the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue Department were framed in 1926, when the first selection under the present rules was held; the provisions of age extension for Great War service and preference to ex-service men were included for that selection, and also for subsequent selections held in 1929 and 1930. I am aware that with the lapse of time the concession to which my hon. Friend refers is now very limited in effect. The application made in response to the recent advertisement indicate, however, that the provision continues to be of advantage to certain ex-service men who would otherwise be excluded. The general age limits prescribed for these appointments have been fixed with regard to the interests of the public service, and I regret that I cannot see my way to modify them.
§ Mr. LEWISCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give an example of how an ex-service man can come within the scope of this arrangement?
§ Major ELLIOTI would refer the hon. Member to the second paragraph of my answer, which states that we are still getting applications, in response to the recent advertisements, from men to whom this concession is an advantage. I should be very happy to show him some if he desires.
§ 67. Mr. McENTEEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the medical officer in the office of director of stamping who receives £380 from the revenue of Britain and a pension of £231 from Nyasaland funds has a full-time appointment; what is his age; and whether his duties consist in giving medical attendance when required in the Department to the 413 members of the staff?
§ Major ELLIOTThe hon. Member is evidently under a misapprehension. The medical officer in question acts for the whole Inland Revenue Department and not for the Stamping Branch only. The appointment is a part-time one and the present holder is 54 years of age.