§ Mr. JAMES BROWNasked the Home Secretary whether an exception can be made in the case of a mine manager holding a first-class certificate, who sat at the examination for sub-inspectors and was high in the list, who is anxious to sit for the junior inspectors' examination although he is row over thirty-five years of age; and whether he will consider the desirability of raising the present age limit for men who have had long practical experience as mine managers?
§ Mr. SHORTTThere is no power to make any exception in individual cases to the limits of age prescribed by the Regulations for these appointments. An alteration of the Regulations would be required, and having regard to the conditions of the service, I do not think it would be advisable to appoint as junior inspectors senior men who would in the ordinary course be unable to reach the higher posts until close on the time of their retirement, if at all. I may add that special care is taken, in selecting men for these appointments, to secure that they are fully qualified in respect of their practical experience.