§ Major PRESCOTTasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on 12th November many civilians who were then in the employ of the Labour Exchanges presented themselves for examination at the Crystal Palace with a view to being placed on the permanent staff; that the candidates' out-of-pocket expenses for railway fares, stamped forms, etc., were considerable; and if any explanation can be given as to why these civil servants were invited to go through this procedure, and to be dismissed almost immediately afterwards, without affording them the opportunity to remain in their positions pending the result of the examination being announced?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have been asked to answer this question. A competitive examination for permanent appointments in the clerical class, which was open to persons temporarily employed by Government Departments in clerical capacities, was held on the date in question. Entry for the examination did not alter the tenure on which such persons held their temporary appointments; and as it is the definite policy of His Majesty's Government to substitute to the great extent practicable ex-service men for non-service personnel temporarily employed by Government Departments, employés who had not served with the Forces have in many cases been replaced by ex-service men.