§ 17. Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any competitive examination is held for candidates for the Colonial service; and, if not, whether he will take steps to abolish the system of nomination and to bring the Colonial service into line with the diplomatic and foreign services by introducing a system of admission by competitive examination under the Civil Service Commission?
Mr. WOODThe system of competitive examination for cadets and police probationers in Ceylon, Malaya, and Hong Kong, which was suspended during the War, is being resumed. The possibility of a similar system being adopted for the administrative services of other Colonies has been considered, but I do not think this course possible or desirable in present circumstances. I would point out that there is no unified Colonial service, but that the Government service of each Colony is distinct, and this fact and the diversity of conditions as between the various Colonies are obstacles to a system of competitive examination.
§ Sir S. HOAREWhat is the reason for reviving the system in Ceylon and other places where it is in force and saying that it is not opportune to introduce it into other Colonies?
Mr. WOODMy hon. Friend is, I think, aware that the system as applied to the 218 cases named in the question is only of limited application and that within those limits it has been found possible to apply it. I must not be taken as prejudging the question in the sense in which my hon. Friend wishes to see it reopened. All I have done is to point out the serious obstacles to introducing the new system at this moment.
§ Sir C. YATEWould it not be better to open out the Colonial service so as to give a better chance of promotion to those who belong to it?
Mr. WOODI think that there is a great deal to be said from that point of view. Of course, my hon. Friend is aware that the great difficulty in many cases is financial.