§ Sir P. PILDITCHasked the Secretary of State for War (1) the names and ages, respectively, of the men selected for appointment to the technical clerical posts in the motor transport stores depot at Feltham; the technical qualifications possessed by the nominees; and the practical motor-trade experience, if any, of each nominee prior to his appointment as a temporary civilian clerk;
(2) whether he is aware that his Department has in contemplation the appointment of approximately 20 temporary clerks at the motor transport stores depot at Feltham to permanent technical posts at that depot, without other than medical examination; and whether he will issue the necessary instructions to ensure that the recommendation contained in paragraph 45 of the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee (which recommends, inter alia, that in cases in which there are a number of ex-service men temporarily employed and possessing the necessary qualifications a special limited competition, to be open only to such persons, should be held), reaffirmed by paragraph 32 of the Final Report of the Southborough Committee, shall be given effect to immediately;
(3) under what authority the 20 technical posts at the Royal Army Service Corps Depot, Feltham, are being filled without a competitive examination; whether he will state the particular technical qualifications required; and whether he is satisfied that the men selected are the only temporary ex-service clerks in the whole of the Government service possessed of such qualifications?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSTwenty technical posts have been authorised at the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot, Feltham. These posts demand a knowledge of the engineering and motor trades, not ordinarily possessed by clerks recruited through the normal channels. Of the 20 posts in question, two have been filled by temporary technical clerks who were successful at the Southborough examination. In addition, 18 ex-service clerks employed at the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot, of whom 15 were actually covering technical posts, have been2188W selected for appointment. The three other clerks possessed the requisite technical experience and were selected by the Selection Board out of all the clerks in the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot as being the most competent to discharge the duties of these posts. In all cases the names of the individuals concerned have been submitted to the Civil Service Commissioners for the issue of the necessary certificates of qualification. The procedure followed is not at variance with the recommendations of the Lytton and Southborough Reports. I would add that of the 20 men selected for appointment, 18 had, prior to the War, practical motor trade or engineering experience ranging from four to 20 years; 14 served in the Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) during the War, while all have been employed in a civilian capacity at the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot for six years or more. I am sending my hon. Friend a statement of the names and ages of the personnel in question.