HC Deb 10 November 1942 vol 383 c2237
20. Captain C. S. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for War what qualifications are required for a junior civil assistant in the War Office; and how are applicants selected?

Sir J. Grigg

The qualifications required vary according to the post. Generally they are a good education, secretarial training or business experience or a knowledge of some foreign language. Selections are made by a Board from a list of candidates supplied by the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

Captain Taylor

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Board is a very large one, and whether the chairman is a senior civil servant assisted by a number of other civil servants, and whether, included in the Board, there are a dozen Army officers, including a brigadier; and is not this a most unwieldy method of selecting a clerk?

Sir J. Grigg

I have not detailed knowledge of the constitution of the Board, but if it is as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests, I think I can promise him to arrange for the Board to meet in panels and not in its full glory at one time.