§ 56. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with regard to the forthcoming open competitive examination for the admission of girls and boys to the general and departmental clerical classes of the Civil Service, in view of the obligations devolving upon the Government to give preferential treatment to ex-service men and the large number of ex-service men who are still waiting assignment, and the recent indications that recruitment for the Civil Service is to be restricted, he will instruct that there should be no 1243 further outside applicants either examined or admitted to the Civil Service until the ex-service men who passed the Southborough examination are all absorbed?
§ Mr. McNEILLOut of 8,248 candidates who qualified at the Southborough examination, only 84 are still awaiting assignment. The appointment of these 84 candidates will not be prejudiced in any way by the decision to hold an open competitive examination in November next for recruitment to the clerical classes.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not a fact that most of the Civil Service Departments are pretty well staffed already, and would it not be as well to shut down admitting more applicants?
§ 57. Mr. DUNCANasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of his Department to throw open to the public appointments to the position of preventive officers (Customs), seeing that for the past nine years these positions have been confined to ex-Army men; if so, whether the usual examinations will be instituted; and whether it is proposed to make any extension of the age at which applicants for these positions may apply?
§ Mr. McNEILLRecruitment to the grade of assistant preventive officer in the Customs Service, which is no doubt the grade to which the hon. Member refers, will in future be by open competition among candidates who have attained the age of 19 and not attained the age of 21; but persons who have served, or are serving, in the Army, Navy or Air Force will be allowed to deduct from their actual age any time, not exceeding two years, during which they have served.
§ 58. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the appointment to the Civil Service of the successful candidates in the examination to be held in November will in any way prejudice the appointment of ex-service men who have passed the Southborough examination or restrict the promotion of permanent non-pensionable men or temporary ex-service men; and whether it will cause the discharge of any temporary ex-service men either now or in the future?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the latter part of the question, no efficient temporary ex-service clerk will be discharged in order to make room for successful candidates from the examination referred to.