§ Mr. GLANVILLEasked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to 2404W ensure a discontinuance of the practice of filling permanent positions in the Civil Service other than by open competitive examination, except in such very exceptional cases as are contemplated by the Orders in Council regulating special direct appointments to the Civil Service; and will he see that members of the Civil Service who were absent on military duties shall not suffer in status and prospects thereby?
§ Mr. BALDWINBy the Order in Council of the 18th December, 1918, special and temporary provision was made for the admission of men of military age into the Civil Service by means of selection on a competitive basis, but without written competitive examination. No appointments are made on a non-competitive basis (except by the promotion of existing Civil Servants) unless the conditions of Clause 7 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, are strictly fulfilled and every application for the use of this Clause is closely scrutinised by the Treasury. Every effort has been made to secure that Civil Servants who joined the Forces shall not suffer in status and prospects thereby.