§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether boy clerks are allowed to compete among themselves for vacancies in the Lower Division of the Civil Service; whether writers are employed in various offices upon the same duties as Lower Division clerks without receiving extra remuneration; whether the writers are allowed to compete among themselves for vacancies in the Lower Division; whether under Clause 12 of the Order in Council of 12th February 1876 writers, if thoroughly qualified by age and service, are not eligible for appointments to the Lower Division; and, whether, some time ago, a number of writers were discharged from the Local Government Board Office at a week's notice to make way for a number of boys who had passed the Lower Division examination?
§ MR. COURTNEYBoy clerks are allowed to compete among themselves for a certain proportion of Lower Division clerkships; but copyists have no special rights in this respect. It is contrary to the expressed and repeated directions of the Treasury that copyists should be employed upon any duties except copying and routine work under direct supervision, or special work, such as shorthand, for which there are special rates of pay.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWill the Treasury make further inquiries on the points raised in my Question?
§ MR. COURTNEYThat will be impossible. If the hon. Gentleman indicates any particular office, inquiry will be made.