§ 83. Mr. HUNTasked the Postmaster-General whether a number of men rejected under the engineering revision of 1911 are recognised by their superior officers as being amongst the most efficient officers in the service; will he say in what manner the qualifications of the men were judged; is he aware that a number of men who were selected had not passed a Civil Service examination at all; and, if so, will he endeavour to find some means of removing the hardship to the efficient long-service men who were rejected?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe men rejected at the revision of 1911 were not considered by their superior officers to be as well qualified as the men selected for inclusion in the new class of assistant engineers. Some of the selected men had been recruited before a special examination had been established for the class of assistant engineers, but they all held Civil Service certificates. The claims of the men rejected in 1911 are being considered as suitable vacancies arise.
§ Mr. HUNTAre young men from the universities still to come straight from the universities without any practical knowledge and be put over the heads of long-service men with large practical experience? Is that going on?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEWhen a question was asked on this on a previous occasion, I said the candidates from the universities were a satisfactory class. I have no-intention of interfering with the arrangement.