HC Deb 04 June 1946 vol 423 cc1809-10
65. Sir Robert Young

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why ex-Servicemen living in Lancashire have to travel to Bournemouth, Hampshire, for a Civil Service examination; whether he is aware that this entails a long journey with costly railway fares, plus the difficulty of finding accommodation for at least two nights and the financial payments which these incur; and whether there is any cash contribution given to such ex-Servicemen to meet these costs.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. William Whiteley)

I have been asked to reply. It is certainly most unusual for a candidate for a Civil Service examination to be asked to travel from Lancashire to Bournemouth. If the hon. Member will give me particulars I will have inquiries made. Candidates actually serving in the Forces when they take the examination receive free travel warrants, but others are expected to pay their own travelling expenses; this arrangement, however, is being reconsidered.

Sir R. Young

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me if there is a locality nearer to, say, Warrington than Bournemouth for this purpose?

Mr. Whiteley

I explained to my hon. Friend that it was exceptional to take a man from Lancashire to Bournemouth. There has apparently been some mistake into which, if he will give me full particulars, I will inquire.