§ MR. W. EWARTsaid, he would beg to inquire of the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the system of examination proposed for Candidates in the Diplomatic and Consular Services has been adopted, or is in course of adoption; and, whether there will be any objection to lay before Parliament a statement showing the nature and subjects of such examination?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that a correspondence between the Foreign Office and the Civil Service Commissioners, which was laid before Parliament and printed on the 8th of February, 1856, fully explained the nature and subjects of the examination proposed for candidates in the diplomatic and consular services. That correspondence was also reprinted in the first Report of the Civil Service Commissioners in 1856, and their second Report contained further information on the subject.
§ MR. W. EWARTsaid, he understood there had been some alterations in the character of the examinations.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERreplied, that the information to which he referred was furnished from the Foreign Office, and he was not aware of any such alterations.
§ Order for Committee (of Supply) read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."