§ Mr. J. PALINasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the temporary clerks who sat for the Southborough examination regarding the manner in which the Departmental marks were awarded, many men who had been dismissed by their Departments as low efficient having received higher Departmental marks than men retained by the same Departments, and whether he will consider what steps can be taken to remove such anomalies;
(2) whether any allowance will be made in certain Departments, where only Grade 3 clerks were employed, to adjust the disability under which the system of marking has placed them;
(3) whether he is aware that, owing to the method of awarding Departmental marks in the recent Southborough examination, it was nearly an impossibility for a Grade 3 clerk to obtain full Departmental marks, and that in consequence a large number of candidates who attained the qualifying standard on the written papers failed solely through low Departmental marks, although their services in the Departments had always been satisfactory; and whether he will take steps to secure a review of the Departmental markings in such cases?
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§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLI am not aware that any of the facts are as stated by the hon. Member, or that Grade 3 clerks have been under any disability in respect of Departmental marks. I am not prepared to interfere with the awards of the Civil Service Commissioners.