§ 30. Mr. WILKIEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether in the Labour Exchange service persons who have served in the Army or Navy may deduct from their actual age the time they have so served, with a view to bringing their age within the prescribed limit of twenty-eight years; if so, whether any limit is placed on the number of such men to be employed in proportion of the staff; and whether regard is had to the advantage of having clerks and others with a knowledge of industrial and trade union affairs?
Mr. ROBERTSONIn accordance with the General Regulations made by the Civil Service Commissioners candidates for appointment to clerical posts in the Labour Exchanges and Unemployment Insurance service who may be over the normal limit of age for entry are allowed to count any period of service in the Navy or Army in reduction of their age. Recommendations of candidates suitable for appointment are made by the Civil Service Commission according to merit, and no limit is placed on the number or proportion of ex-soldier or ex-sailor candidates to be recommended. In making appointments to the clerical and other grades in the Service considerable importance has been attached by the Commissioners to the possession of industrial knowledge and experience.