§ Sir W. SEAGERasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a qualifying examination was held in December last of ex-service men for positions as officers of Customs and Excise, when a certain number passed the 480W examination and were then called upon to appear before a Customs Selection Board and that 57 were declared successful candidates and 113 unsuccessful candidates; and that, although the 113 unsuccessful candidates have proved themselves of sufficient educational status, they are now obliged to sit in open competitive examination with men who have seen no war service; and whether he will consider the advisability of allowing the above-mentioned 113 men to receive appointments as vacancies arise?
Lieut.-Commander YOUNGI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Frome (Mr. Hurd) on the 6th instant.