§ Lieutenant-Colonel M'LEANasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Government Departments will not 1977W consider applications for the employment of disabled officers over twenty-eight years of age, and that there is much dissatisfaction felt by disabled officers over the lack of consideration being shown towards them; and if steps could be taken to remedy this matter?
§ Mr. BALDWINIt is the intention of the Government to give the fullest opportunities of securing appointments in the Civil Service to those who have served during the War in Naval, Military, or Air Forces of the Crown. There is no obstacle in the way of the employment of officers over the age of twenty-eight in temporary situations, or in certain established positions, for which special qualifications are required. As regards situations filled before the War by competitive examination the usual age limits have been relaxed in order to make it possible for candidates to compete who would have been eligible but for the suspension of examinations during the War. In consequence, the age limit for the class 1 situations, which was twenty-four years, has been raised to twenty-eight. Having regard to the small number of vacancies, it is not practicable to extend this limit so as to give a fresh opportunity for entry into the permanent Civil Service to those who failed to take advantage before the war of the opportunities which were then open to them.