50. Sir W. PRESTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that ex-service men temporarily employed as civil servants who wish by examination to qualify as permanent civil servants are required to obtain 65 per cent. of the possible marks in such examination, whereas the ordinary candidate only requires 50 per cent. of the marks to qualify; and what is the reason for the differentiation?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThere is no foundation for either of the suggestions contained in the first part of the question. In the examinations of persons serving in a temporary capacity in the Civil Service for permanent appointments in the clerical class the pass-mark has been 61 per cent. in all cases, whether men or women, ex-service or non-service men. For examinations of different kinds and for different posts the pass-mark is made appropriate to the circumstances, and as a matter of fact the pass-marks of examinations recently held by the Commissioners range from 32 per cent. to 67 per cent.