§ Q6. Mr. MacDermotasked the Prime Minister whether he will instruct all Government Departments to review their policy concerning the employment of ex-prisoners, so as to permit their employment whenever security considerations allow.
§ The Prime MinisterThe selection of permanent civil servants is the responsibility of the Civil Service Commission who are independent of any outside control. Under the Civil Service Order in Council, they must satisfy themselves that the character of every candidate is such as to qualify him for the situation which he seeks, but I am informed that they do not consider a prison sentence in itself a bar. Temporary employment is the responsibility of individual departments who are authorised to employ those who have been convicted even of serious offences provided it seems reasonable to do so.