HC Deb 16 December 1947 vol 445 cc1505-6
68. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that in a number of Civil Service examinations candidates have to give written answers and opinions on matters which can be rightly regarded as the subjects of political controversy, including their views on world personalities in politics and as such questions are unreasonable, recognising that the examiners, notwithstanding their desire to be unbiased and apply the same standards of correction to all papers, are bound to be influenced by their own political conceptions, if he will prohibit all questions of this kind for the future.

68. Mr. Glenvil Hall

The Civil Service Commissioners assure me that, while they set questions of a general nature on topics of the day, the only purpose of these is to enable candidates to show their intellectual qualities. The Commissioners are satisfied that the judgment of the examiners is not affected in any way by their own or the candidate's political views. I see no ground for interfering with the discretion of the Civil Service Commissioners in the conduct of their examinations.

Mr. Carmichael

Is my right hon. Friend of the opinion that if a person sitting for an, examination was questioned on Signor Mussolini and eulogised his work, he would be examined in an unbiased way and granted full marks?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The Civil Service Commissioners assure me that any answer given, supposing that question were asked would be judged on its merits as evidence or otherwise of the intellectual ability of the examinee.

Mr. Drayson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that questions of this sort are very important, as some students even appear to be in doubt as to who is the Prime Minister of this country?

Mr. Tolley

Has my right hon. Friend seen a copy of the questions asked, and is he satisfied about them?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I have gone into this matter rather thoroughly at different times. It is quite impossible to judge the knowledge of a candidate unless certain topical questions are put, and they must sooner or later involve personalities in politics, etc. I am afraid we cannot get away from that.