§ Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked why special consideration has been given to boys educated at public schools for entering the Civil Service by lowering the age for the intermediate examination; what objection there is to a second division clerk competing up to 24½ years of age if he is studious enough to do so; and, in view of the fact that the average age of second division clerks on entrance is 19, should not more than one and a half years be allowed them to prepare for the intermediate examination, extending, as it does, over a period of twelve days?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe limits of age fixed for the examination—18 to 19½—have not been lowered, but a special exception allowed to persons already in the public service has been restricted, solely in the public interest, because it was found that its operation tended to prejudice the chances of the younger candidates. I see no reason why special arrangements should be made to allow second division clerks or other persons in the public service to compete at this examination at an age much above the normal limits.