§ 50. Sir W. SUGDENasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department why a temporary messenger who was a non-service man has recently been promoted to record and paper keeper in the Department of Overseas Trade, when ex-service men with equal qualifications were available in that Department for such a promotion?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUEL (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The claims of all the ex-service messengers in the Department were reviewed for the post in question, but they were not considered to be so strong as those of the man who has been appointed, and who had performed the duties of the post for upwards of seven years. With regard to the question of military service, the messenger referred to volunteered in 1915 for War service and under the Derby scheme in 1916. He came up four times for medical examination, but was rejected on all occasions.