§ 3. Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the following question: "Is there a place for a Liberal Party in Great Britain Today?" was contained in the January, 1952, Civil Service Commission Entrance Examination, General Paper 1; and if he will give instructions that this type of question should not be included in future papers.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is "Yes, Sir." The question referred to was one of 10, any three of which required to be answered at this examination for entry to the Administrative Class. Responsibility for choice of questions 606 rests with the Civil Service Commissioners.
I can see no reason why this question should not have been included with others as an academic exercise to test the intelligence and powers of expression of candidates for the highest levels of the Civil Service.
§ Mr. LewisWould it not have been far better, more appropriate and certainly more up to date if the question had been: "In view of their continual broken pledges is there any need for the Tory Party today?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. C. DaviesMay I ask the hon. Gentleman—very hopefully—whether, if this question were put to him, he would answer it enthusiastically in the affirmative?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat does not arise out of this question, which is addressed to candidates for the Civil Service.
§ Mr. ChetwyndWould the hon. Gentleman undertake to print a selection of the answers in the OFFICIAL REPORT?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir.