§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether it is true that it is in contemplation to create a new office of Assistant Surveyor of Works, and whether he has any objection to lay before the House the conditions of appointment and the qualifications required for the office, and in particular, whether he will state if the new Assistant Surveyor will be required "to design and superintend the execution of new buildings," and "should also be capable of making technical reports properly composed and spelt?"
§ MR. AYRTON, in reply, said, he thought the Question of the hon. Member was founded on some misconception. What had occurred was this—In consequence of the increase of duties thrown on the Office of Works it was found necessary to appoint an additional assistant surveyor, precisely on the same footing as the present assistant surveyor. He might have appointed an officer in the exercise of his patronage; but intimation was made to the subordinates in the office that they might compete for the appointment before the Civil Service Commissioners, who did not, however, he was sorry to say, report in favour of any of them. Intimation was then made to the Secretary of the Society of Architects, inviting applications from persons connected with that profession; but the secretary did not think it any part of his duty to make any intimation on the subject. It was, therefore, necessary to put a public notice in the newspapers. A number of applications had been received, and it would be for the Civil Service Commissioners to determine in the usual way what candidate proved himself most fit for the office.
§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEsaid, he wished to ask whether the new Assistant Surveyor would be called on to design buildings?
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, the Civil Service Commissioners would have to prescribe the proper tests. It would be for them to say how far they should insist on qualifications to design buildings.