Mr. A. ROBERTSONasked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state, in the examination recently held for eight posts as technical officers in the Supplies Division (Furniture), how many of the successful eight are ex-service men; whether, regarding those ex-service men who were debarred by the age clause from competing in this examination, and who have satisfactorily carried out the duties in a temporary capacity for periods up to six years, any recommendation is to be put forward for their inclusion on the establishment under Clause 7 of Training Regulations; and, if not, how is it proposed to deal with them?
§ Mr. JOWETTThe final selection of candidates for the eight posts has not yet been made, but, as 20 of the 24 who remain to be interviewed by the final selection board are ex-service men, the probability is that the proportion of the ex-service men selected to fill the posts will be high. Of the seven ex-service men referred to in the second part of the question, none has the qualifications necessary for the grade of Assistant Technical 1417W Officer, nor have any of them been performing the full duties or carrying the responsibilities of that grade. They have, therefore, no claim to be given the status. Should the requirements of the work allow, they will be retained in the less responsible grade of Temporary Technical Assistant, to which they now belong.