Mr. F. HALLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in connection with the examinations for Eastern cadetships, no exception to the usual age limits of candidates is to be 1328W allowed on account of service with the forces; and, if so, the reason for this variation in what is now the accustomed practice in connection with Civil Service examinations?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have been asked to reply. The case is as the hon. Member states it. Between 1919 and 1921 arrangements were made for recruiting a large number of ex-service men for the Far East with a very considerable range of age above the normal limit, so as to afford an opportunity to all ex-service men who would have been eligible to compete if examinations had been held during the War. Though the Governments concerned were glad to make the concession, the fact that many of the cadets so appointed were much over the usual age was a source of some embarrassment. As, however, the ages normally fixed provide for cadets to go out to the East at the time of life which is for a variety of reasons to the best advantage of their own careers as well as in the interests of the public service, it was considered desirable to revert to the usual age limits when competition was reintroduced. Comparison with the Home Service is inapplicable.