84. Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a resolution from the Grays employment committee urging the Department to press upon the Civil Service Commissioners the claims of disabled 583 ex-serviee men over 25 years of age now rendering efficient service on the temporary staff of the Department for admission to the established staff; that, for admission purposes, the age of such men be taken as at the date of their joining such temporary staff and not at the actual date of the examination, and that the maximum age be raised at least to the maximum permissible to women, namely, 30 years of age; and whether he will give this matter his consideration.
§ Lieut.-Colonel GILMOURMy right hon. Friend is aware that the resolution referred has been received from the Grays' Employment Committee, and that similar resolutions have also been passed by employment committees in other parts of the country. I am informed that the whole question of the establishment of temporary staffs in Government Departments is now under the consideration of the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service, and, until he has seen its report, my right hon. Friend is not prepared to make any recommendations on the subject.