§ 71. Mr. Shinwellasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether vacancies in the administrative posts of the Civil Service will occur in the near future; whether he can state the method of selection; and whether those persons who have been studying for the Civil Service will have a prior opportunity of selection?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)Vacancies for administrative staff, arising from expansion or from the calling up for military service of men below the age of reservation, which cannot be supplied by promotion or by loan of personnel from Departments whose work is contracting owing to war conditions, are being and will be filled on a temporary basis from the central register of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. I am afraid that it would be impracticable to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan we have an assurance that all cases of selection will be made on the ground of merit alone?
§ Captain CrookshankYes, Sir. The Civil Service does require the best men available.
§ Mr. MaxtonCan young men who have already passed the examination apply to be entered on the register?
§ Captain CrookshankI should like to have notice of that question. If they have passed the examination, I daresay in most cases they would have been taken on, and I do not quite understand the question, therefore.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan young men from secondary schools have an opportunity of being selected or considered for appointments?
§ Captain CrookshankI said that we were filling them up on a temporary basis from the central register of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. I do 389 not know that there is anything to prevent secondary school boys or anybody else from being registered.
§ Mr. MaxtonIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a number of men have sat in examinations for the Civil Service and have passed, and then have had their money refunded to them and told they can go anywhere they like? I ask whether these men, on the basis of having passed that examination, can be put on this central register and have an opportunity of appointment alongside of those who have not passed the examination?
§ Captain CrookshankI said that there is nothing to prevent anyone from putting themselves on the register.
§ Mr. MaxtonDo I not understand that certain educational standards are necessary before you can go on the central register?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir. For details, the hon. Member must ask the Minister of Labour, but I understand that anyone who is hoping to get one of these appointments can put his name on the register.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsHow is the register compiled?
§ Captain CrookshankI do not compile it. The hon. Member had better ask the Minister of Labour.