§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the relevant factors which make it impossible to extend the privilege of counting clerical service in a naval establishment between 1st July, 1921, and 1st July, 1924, as approved service in order that ex-service temporary clerks and writers may become eligible to sit at forthcoming examinations for Grade 3 clerks?
§ Mr. AMMONI would refer the hon Member to my replies of the 7th and 15th April on the same subject. When the scheme of examination for third-grade clerks was first under consideration it was intended to provide that, in order to be eligible, candidates should have been employed in Admiralty service on the 1st July, 1921, and should have completed a year's service before the 1st April, 1922. The qualifying period was subsequently extended to the 1st July, 1923, thus bringing the scheme of examination in the Ministry of Labour. This arrangement is regarded as equitable to the temporary staffs and as making for administrative convenience. The arrangements for the examination are now well advanced, and 49W no change in the conditions of qualification could be effected at this stage, even if certain modifications were thought desirable. I should add that the Admiralty do not consider that any change is called for.