§ Mr. G. Hutchinsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is able to state what preference is proposed to be given to ex-Service candidates for entry into the Civil Service by the Governments of Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, respectively.
§ Mr. Emrys-EvansI am informed that the position is as follows:
CanadaThe Civil Service Act gives preference, among candidates possessing the necessary qualifications, first to persons in receipt of pensions for war disabilities, who, by reason of their disability, are not able to continue their pre-war1644W occupation and have not been successfully re-established, and, secondly, to persons who have been on active service overseas or on the high seas. Male and female members of the Armed Forces may qualify for this preference.
AustraliaThe Commonwealth Public Service Act, 1922–37, contains the following provisions relating to service in the War of 1914–18
As regards temporary employment, a returned soldier shall, if competent for the work required, be considered for temporary employment in priority to any person who is not a returned soldier. In the making of appointments to the Commonwealth Service from among persons who have successfully passed the prescribed examination, preference shall be given to returned soldiers up to the age of 51 years. A returned soldier may be appointed to the Commonwealth Service, although not free from physical defects due to service in the war, on submitting a medical certificate in the prescribed terms by a medical practitioner. The Act further lays down the order of preference to returned soldiers in the making of appointments to positions in the Commonwealth Service.Union of South AfricaThe relevant legislation is the Public Servants (Military Service) Act, No. 27 of 1944. Briefly, the position is as follows: It is the policy of the Union Government to encourage and facilitate as much as possible the employment of ex-Service men and women in the Union Public Service, and 10,000 posts have been earmarked for such ex-Service men and women. Special legislative provision has been made for the re-admission to the service of the Union Government of persons who resigned from, or otherwise relinquished, their employment under the Government for the purpose of rendering military or other war service during the present war. This provision includes recognition of the period of military service for pension purposes, etc. The Public Service Commission may in its discretion suspend, relax or waive any or all of the requirements—relating to health, age and educational qualifications, provided that the Commission is satisfied that the applicant's general physical condition and educational standard, including his knowledge of both official languages, render him capable of performing efficiently the duties attaching to the post or office to which it is proposed to appoint him. The period or periods of military service may be included in his pensionable service subject to such terms and conditions as 1645W may be approved by the Union Treasury on the recommendation of the Commission.
New ZealandNo particulars are available in this country, but inquiries are being made.