§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the next open competition for candidates for Civil Service posts will be held; if he is aware that many young men studying for the Civil Service were under age for military service, and that the regulation confining examinations to candidates with military service has rendered nugatory all the studies of many young men and the expense to which their parents have been put; and if he will take the necessary steps to remove this hardship, and at the first open competitive examination so extend the age limit for entry as will enable these young men to compete?
§ Mr. BALDWINNo date can yet be fixed for the next open competition for the male clerical class of the Civil Service. The limitation of recruitment to ex-service men, in accordance with the settled policy of the Government, has in-2034W evitably closed the normal avenue to this class for some considerable period. I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.