HC Deb 05 July 1937 vol 326 cc30-1
56. Mr. Logan

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that ex-service men and other applicants for employment in His Majesty's Customs as spare-time watchers or other similar posts are not considered unless they are in receipt of life pensions from the Army or Navy; and is he prepared to give non-pensioners with good character employment?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. Ex-service men who are non-pensioners and other applicants for temporary casual employment in the Customs Department are not excluded from consideration but, in accordance with the general practice in the Civil Service, preference is given to ex-regular applicants who enlisted on or before 11th November, 1918.

Mr. Logan

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman make inquiries in order to find out whether that is the practice?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me any information which he has on the subject. My information is that he is wrong in supposing that they are excluded from consideration.

Mr. Logan

Then do I take it that men of good character and in receipt of a pension will receive favourable consideration?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

Yes, but regard must be had to the preference which is given to the class of ex-service men to which I have referred. That represents the deliberate policy of the Government, and I could not suggest that there would be any change in that respect.

Mr. Morgan Jones

Does this policy involve the displacement of men already in jobs?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I think that raises a different question answered before.