§ Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the new regulations issued by the Civil Service Commissioners for the February examination for appointments in the Customs and Excise, and to the fact that the age limit usual at these examinations has been reduced and examination in an additional course made compulsory; and, as this will disappoint many candidates already preparing for the examination, can he arrange to postpone the operation of the new regulations, having regard to the fact that when the regulations under which examinations have been heretofore held were promulgated twelve months' notice of them was given before they came into force?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 8th instant to the hon. Member for the Newbury Division, in which I stated that the former age limits would apply to the examination to be held in February. I am not prepared to suggest to the Civil Service Commissioners any further modification in the regulations recently issued.
§ Mr. FREDERICK WHYTEasked whether the age limits for entry into the service of His Majesty's Customs and Excise are now nineteen years to twenty-one years; whether the latter limit is a reduction on the limit previously in force; whether warning was given to intending candidates before the change was made; and whether he has received any representations on the subject from those who were eligible under the old regulations, but who are ineligible under the new regulations?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer is in the affirmative in each case; but I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 8th instant to the hon. Member for the Newbury Division.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether, in the new regulations made for examinations for appointments under the Civil Service, the age limit has been reduced to twenty-one years, a change which will shut out from future competitions a number of candidates educated in Irish national schools; whether this change is to apply to candidates for examination in next February; whether four subjects are now made compulsory instead of three as heretofore, two subjects, history and geography, being now grouped as one; and whether, in view of the effect of making these alterations within three months of the examination on candidates, especially from Irish centres who have been grinding on a totally different basis, these regulations will be withdrawn at least for next examination?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI must refer the hon. Member to the answer I have just given to the hon. Member for North Fermanagh.