HC Deb 01 July 1942 vol 381 cc214-5
65. Mr. J. Dugdale

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the hardship caused to boys wishing eventually to enter the Civil Service by reason of the postponement of the Civil Service entrance examination till after the war; and whether he will consider its reintroduction, at least on a limited number of occasions, during the war?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)

I am aware that the suspension of Civil Service examinations must have disappointed many young persons who hoped to start their careers in the Civil Service. On the other hand, many of those who would have wished to compete are now in the Armed Forces or have undertaken other national duties and could not sit for an examination. For this reason, among others, I can hold out no hope of the resumption of these examinations during the war.

Mr. Maxton

Are not these reasons entirely different from the reasons which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman gave when he suspended these examinations?

Captain Crookshank

The reasons I gave then are covered by the words "among others" in my reply. This is another reason.