§ DR. BRADYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If his attention has been directed to the working of the 7th Article of the General Regulations, issued on the 4th of June 1870, with regard to open competition for the Civil Service; and if the prohibition therein imposed on successful candidates has been found conducive to the public interest?
§ MR. W. H. SMITH,in reply, said, although he must premise that it was most inexpedient that changes should be rashly made in the regulations respecting admission to the Civil Service, yet he was prepared to admit that the question was one which deserved some consideration. The General Regulations had been under consideration for some time, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer had thought it right to ask the Civil Service Commissioners to report to him upon the effect of the article referred to, as regarded the securing of the best men for the Public Service.