§ MR. P. STANHOPE (Wednesbury)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, having regard to the postponement of the periodical competitive examination of candidates for admission 31 into the Civil Service (Excise Department) from May until November, and to the serious hardship entailed upon many who have incurred great trouble and expense in preparatory studies, he will give directions that those candidates who may, in consequence of this unusual postponement, be excluded by the official limit of age, shall be allowed to have their names registered and to present themselves for examination in November, or on such subsequent occasion fixed for the next examination?
§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he is in a position to state when the next examination for Assistants of Excise will be held; whether it is a fact, as stated in The Civil Service Candidate of 17th March, that all the candidates selected at the last examination have received appointments; whether he is aware that the uncertainty as to dates of examinations and number of appointments is causing large numbers of young men serious loss of time and of opportunities of obtaining other emyloyment; and, whether more uniformity as to examinations, and fuller information to intending candidates, can be provided?
THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON)(who replied) (Leeds, N.)The suggestion contained in the Question of the hon. Member for Wednesbury has already been made and considered. It would be a serious matter to make a change in the prescribed limits of age, merely in order to meet the case of certain persons who would otherwise be excluded from competition; and I do not think the circumstances of the present case would justify such action. In reply to the Question of the hon. Member for East Northampton, it is impossible to say when the next examination will be held. All the selected candidates have received appointments. Examinations can only be held when additional assistants are required; and it is, therefore, impossible to regulate precisely the time for examinations. Due notice, however, will always be given of the intention to hold such examinations.