§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyteasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the policy of His Majesty's Government as regards promotion of ex-service S-class clerks now serving in the Civil Service; and can he give an undertaking that, in view of the large number of appointments to the clerical classes during the past 10 years from other sources, a fixed percentage of 60 per cent. or more of vacancies in the clerical classes shall be reserved annually for the promotion of ex-service S-class clerks?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleIt was agreed when the special class was constituted that its members should be eligible on their merits for promotion to the general or departmental clerical classes, and this remains the policy of His Majesty's Government. I regret that I cannot adopt the suggestion contained in the latter part of my hon. Friend's question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyteasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the total number of ex-service P-class and S-class clerks in the Civil Service promoted since the 1st October, 1927, to the 31st March, 1937, to the general and departmental clerical classes; the total number of open competition recruits appointed to these two classes; the total number of women promoted to these classes for the same period; and the number of ex-service S-class clerks on the 1st July, 1937?
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§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleDuring the period 1st October, 1927, to 31st March, 1937, approximately 6,350 "P" class and "S" class clerks were promoted to the general and departmental clerical classes. During the same period there were approximately 9,100 open recruits to these classes, and approximately 4,600 women clerical assistants, writing assistants, shorthand-typists and typists were promoted to these classes. The latest date for which accurate information is available as to the total number of "S" class clerks employed is 1st April, 1936, when the number was 14,300. The number employed on the 1st April, 1937, will be available towards the end of the year.