§ CAPTAIN COTTON (Cheshire, Wirrall)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is true that one hundred appointments are being made to the post of Assistant Examining Officer in the Out-door Customs' Department; and, if such be the case, whether those who for some years past have served as Acting Examining Officers will be confirmed in that rank, or, failing such confirmation, will they be allowed, if of satisfactory character and capacity, to receive appointments amongst the new assistants without passing the proscribed competitive examination?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER) (Wolverhampton, E.)Provision has been made in the Estimates for 1886–87 for 100 Assistant Examining Officers, it being calculated that the sum so provided will cover the pay of the number of officers of that grade likely to be appointed in the period. Appointments to the grade of Assistant Examining Officer will be made from the ranks of out door officers and boatmen by selection only, and not by competition. All the Assistant Examining Officers hitherto appointed have been selected from among the Acting Examining Officers, to whom preference will generally be given in constituting the new class.