HC Deb 14 July 1881 vol 263 c850
MR. DILLWYN

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the telegraph clerks who were transferred from the late Companies to the Government service in 1870 are eligible for transfer to the Customs and Inland Revenue Departments?

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

Sir, when a member of the permanent Civil Service is nominated to a situation in it out of the ordinary course of his promotion, he requires a fresh certificate from the Civil Service Commissioners, who may dispense with examination, wholly or partially, and may grant their certificate of qualification upon evidence satisfactory to them that he possesses the requisite knowledge and ability, and is duly qualified in respect of age, health, and character. The statute under which telegraphists were transferred to the Government made them members of the permanent Civil Service. If, therefore, any such telegraphist is nominated for transfer to a situation not in the ordinary course of his promotion—for instance, to one in the Inland Revenue or Customs—he is eligible on the same terms as other Civil servants.