§ 65. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what length of time elapses between the closing date for applications for Civil Service vacancies and the notification of results.
JayMr. The time varies according to the number of candidates and the nature of the competition. The results of competitions which depend upon interview only can be declared within three or four weeks. In the case of some larger competitions consisting of written examinations followed by interviews, and in which there may be nearly 2,000 candidates, seven or eight months may elapse before the final table of results can be issued. The hon. Member will, of course, appreciate that, in accordance with the principle of open competition, all applicants must be tested on their merits, in order that only the best may be selected.