§ MR. G. A. HAMILTONsaid, he wished also to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in order to extend the principle of competitive examination for civil offices, what means it was intended to take to make known to the public the vacancies which from time to time might arise in the several public departments, or the steps which it might be requisite to be taken by candidates, in order to their selection by 975 the heads of departments, for competitive examination?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he was not able to state what means in particular would be adopted for circulating the information referred to. Inquiries might be addressed to the heads of the departments in which vacancies occurred; but he was not aware that there was any necessity to take additional means for spreading information, for whenever a vacancy did occur the Government were instantly overwhelmned with applications for it.