§ 50. Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, if he is aware that some ex-service men who succeeded in the examination held in December, 1926, to fill 50 vacancies for the establishment have not yet been placed on the establishment list; and whether 209 he will consider the absorption on the establishment of all the men who passed before announcing any further examination.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL -THOMSONI have been asked to reply to this question, as it apparently relates to the limited competition for appointments to the male clerical class which was held in December last among Post Office candidates under a scheme of recruitment set up as the result of an agreement reached on the Departmental Whitley Council in 1921. That agreement provided that a percentage of all the Clerical vacancies in the Post Office should be filled by limited competition among Post Office candidates; and the number of vacancies which have so far occurred has not yet sufficed to enable all the candidates successful in the last competition to be appointed. In the circumstances I am not prepared to give any undertaking to consider the absorption of unsuccessful candidate.
§ Mr. MACKINDERMay I ask if there is any examination for office boys?
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it fair that these people should get appointments before the others?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe matter is somewhat involved. The successful candidates are divided into two classes, the old candidates and the newer candidates, and I do not think I can go further than I have gone.
§ Mr. AMMONIs it not the fact that the examination is a competitive one for an announced number of vacancies?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThat is so.