HC Deb 31 March 1930 vol 237 cc884-5
71. Mr. W. J. BROWN

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Civil Service Commission, in conducting examinations for appointments for the Home (Administrative) Civil Service, Indian Civil Service, Foreign Office, Diplomatic and Consular Services, and Eastern Cadetships in the Colonial Office, have regard to service put in by candidates in the Junior Division (Officers' Training Corps), the Senior Division (Officers' Training Corps), the Territorial Army, and the Territorial Cadet unit?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

Candidates for the situations to which the hon. Member refers are required to furnish, in prescribed form, a record of their life and education in order to assist the Examiners in the viva voce portion of the examination. Service in the Officers' Training Corps, the Territorial Army, etc., is one of the many activities in regard to which information is to be furnished on the form.

Mr. BROWN

Inasmuch as the asking and answering of these particular questions implies that service with the Cadet Corps will influence the marking of the Civil Service Examiners, will the President of the Civil Service Commission see to it that these questions are not asked in future?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

No exception, so far as I am aware, has been taken to these questions before, and I see no reason why any alteration should be made in this case.

Sir F. HALL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the great majority of Members of this House do not have the same opinion as the hon. Member who put this question?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

If a boy says, "I was educated at Borstal, where the best education is given," will that answer disqualify him?