HC Deb 21 June 1883 vol 280 cc1135-6
VISCOUNT LEWISHAM

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is a fact that, whilst he was Secretary of State for War, he recommended that supplementary clerks of the War Office be granted a larger annual increment of pay, with a maximum of £400 a-year; and, that, since he has accepted the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer, his own recommendation has been forwarded to the Treasury, and been refused by that Department?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

With reference to the noble Viscount's second Question, he is, doubtless, not aware that in matters of this kind it is not usual to state what passes between the Treasury and the Department concerned. However, as a matter of fact, I may say, as to his first Question, that while I was Secretary of State for War I made no recommendation upon this subject to the Treasury.

VISCOUNT LEWISHAM

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether there is any reason why the supplementary clerks at the War Office should not be placed upon the Higher Division of the Civil Service, in the same manner as the clerks in other offices who were appointed at the same time, after passing the same examination?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

In the year 1871 the War Office was divided into a higher and a lower establishment, for each of which there was a distinct examination. The supplemen tary clerks competed at examinations which gave admission either to clerkships in some other Offices, or to supplementary clerkships in the War Office, but did not give admission to the higher clerkships in the War Office. No expectation was held out to them that they would at any time be eligible for promotion to the higher establishment. I have no knowledge of the alleged promotion of clerks in other Offices, who were on a similar footing to the supplementary clerks of the War Office, to the Higher Division of the Civil Service; but I will look into the matter in communication with the Treasury.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

asked whether a Memorial from these clerks had not been forwarded to the Secretary of State more than two months ago; and whether the Government had made up its mind what course to pursue in. regard to it?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

said, this Memorial was received more than two months since; but it did not refer to the point raised by the noble Viscount.