HC Deb 26 July 1910 vol 19 cc1932-3
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Prime Minister if the practice of filling appointments in the Civil Service by patronage is spreading; if since 1904 a system of employing hired clerks at the Admiralty has been adopted and is extending; that these appointments are filled by patronage, and such clerks have replaced open competition clerks, and, moreover, that established posts have been provided to which these hired clerks may be promoted; if he aware that at the Board of Education the principal administrative appointments are all filled by patronage, and that the number of such appointments is constantly increasing, to the detriment of the open competition men, if the clerical appointments in connection with the recently created Labour Exchanges have all been filled by patronage; why this departure from the spirit and intention of the Order in Council of 4th June, 1870, establishing the principle of open competition, is being made; and will he cause an inquiry to be instituted into the whole question of patronage appointments in the Civil Service?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

As regards the hired clerks at the Admiralty and at the dockyards I understand that most of the vacancies are now filled either by open competition or by promotion from ranks recruited by open competition. The facts as to the Board of Education and Labour Exchange appointments are substantially as stated, but I am informed that these posts require special personal qualifications which cannot be tested satisfactorily by a written examination. His Majesty's Government attach great importance to the maintenance of the principle of open competition as a general rule, and I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry into patronage appointments generally. It is the established policy to restrict within the narrowest limits the number of exceptional cases in which the system of open competition is abandoned.

Mr. SNOWDEN

What special qualifications are required by the Board of Education?

The PRIME MINISTER

; I cannot answer that without notice.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great inconvenience is caused to Members of Parliament by appointments being filled by patronage, and that public competition relieves hon. Members of a good deal of persecution?