Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a boy who left school for the Guards' training camp at Bushey before he was obliged to do so, in order to get as soon as possible to the War, but was prevented by the signing of the Armistice, and subsequently was gazetted to the Special Reserve, Guards, is or is not a privileged condidate for the diplomatic service; if he is, whether that privilege continues till he is of age to compete for the diplomatic service examination; or whether, if he does not reach the prescribed minimum age before a certain date, his privilege altogether lapses?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe special scheme for entrance to the diplomatic service in the period immediately after the War was designed for those who have actually performed military service, and does not apply to the case described by my hon. Friend. Such a candidate would presumably be within the limits of age for the competitive examinations under the new Regulations, which will come into effect in 1922.