§ MR. LIONEL COHEN (Paddington, N.)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether Assistant Receivers in the Department of the Chief Official Receiver in Bankruptcy have been appointed without competitive examination; and, if so, why the Bankruptcy Department of the Board of Trade should be excepted from the Orders of the Commission, which prescribe open competition to give entry to the Civil Service; and, whether, notwithstanding 1789 such exception, Civil Service certificates have been issued to gentlemen so appointed, and, if so, upon what ground have such certificates been issued?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA) (Sheffield, Brightside)It is the case that assistant Official Receivers in the Department of the Chief Official Receiver in Bankruptcy have been appointed without competitive examination. The Bankruptcy Department of the Board of Trade is not, however, as such, exempted from the Regulations with regard to admission to the Civil Service. The Civil Service Commissioners have dispensed with examination, and have issued their certificates to the gentlemen so appointed, in pursuance of the powers vested in them under Clause 7 of the Order in Council of the 4th of June, 1870, upon a representation being made to them by the Treasury and the Board of Trade that the qualifications in respect of knowledge and ability deemed requisite for the situation of Assistant Official Receiver under the Bankruptcy Act, 1883, are wholly professional and peculiar, and are not ordinarily to be acquired in the Civil Service. The Commissioners also state in their certificate that they have satisfied themselves that the gentlemen appointed to these posts possess the requisite knowledge and ability, and are duly qualified in respect of age, health, and character.