HC Deb 14 November 1912 vol 43 cc2099-100W
Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked, for the year 1st June, 1911, to 1st June, 1912, how many boy clerks were appointed to the Civil Service, and how many were compelled to resign on age limit owing to the insufficiency of permanent positions, together with the average age of the boys so compelled to resign?

Mr. MASTERMAN

Between 1st June, 1911, and 1st June, 1912, 1,556 boy clerks were assigned for service. The services of 575 boy clerks were terminated on their reaching the age limit: of whom 273 boys of the old class left at the age of twenty, and 302 of the new class at the age of eighteen. Some of the latter were retained for a few weeks beyond the age of eighteen, pending the declaration of the result of examination for assistant clerkships at which they had competed. In the period under notice 163 permanent situations in the Civil Service were filled by the appointment of ex-boy clerks, whose services had been terminated on their reaching the age limit.

Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state, for the year 1st June, 1911, to 1st June, 1912, how many vacancies occurred in the permanent Civil Service, excepting those of assistant clerks, for which boy clerks were eligible to compete; the number of boy clerks successful at the open competitions for these vacancies; and the number of boy clerks dismissed the Civil Service for incompetency or breach of discipline?

Mr. MASTERMAN

Between 1st June, 1911, and 1st June, 1912, in addition to vacancies for assistant clerks, 1,079 vacancies filled from open competitions occurred in the permanent Civil Service, for which boy clerks were eligible to enter; 129 boy clerks in actual employment when examined were successful for these vacancies. In the same period one boy clerk was discharged for misconduct. Two were found medically unfit for further service.