§ MR. HENNESSYsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government are taking any steps to carry out the Recommendations of the Select Committee of last Session on the mode of nominating and examining Candidates for junior appointments in the Civil Service?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONsaid, he believed that the main recommendation of the Committee to which the hon. Member referred was, that in addition to the competitive examination, there should be a preliminary standard examination, to ascertain that each individual intending to compete came up to a certain point of qualification. No steps had been taken on that recommendation yet; but he should feel it his duty to communicate with the Civil Service Commissioners, with a view of learning in what way they thought it could be carried into effect with the least inconvenience to the parties concerned, and the most advantage to the public service.