§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Londonderry, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Has a junior officer ever hitherto been promoted over the heads of others against whom no complaint could be urged, without winning at a competitive examination; if so, will the instances be stated; if not, 1007 why was that course departed from in the case of Sergeant Chase of the Dublin Mounted Police; and, is it the intention to promote Sergeant Chase to the rank of inspector, or to leave the charge of the troop in the hands of a sergeant?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne), in reply, said, the Commissioner of Police informed him that junior men were often promoted over the heads of others who were not regarded as fitted for a higher rank. For obvious reasons it would not be desirable to give any names. There was no such thing as promotion by competitive examination. He had already explained, in answer to previous Questions, that the mode of procedure by which Sergeant Chase, although a Protestant, was recommended for promotion, was by a Board consisting exclusively of Catholic officers. The Commissioner stated that it was not intended to make any change in the arrangements which had been completed.