§ MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the contemplated promotion of certain Writers to Lower Division Clerkships is to be based upon their actual performance at the present time of clerical work similar to that upon which Lower Division Clerks are employed; whether, in the interests of public economy, he would consider the advisability of filling up future vacancies in such clerkships by the promotion of Writers of admitted merit, who, although not actually engaged at the time upon the particular duties connected with the vacant clerkships, have previously performed them to the entire satisfaction of the Heads of Departments; and, 546 whether the adoption of this method of filling vacancies, together with the substitution of boy-clerks in the places of the Writers so promoted, would result in the very large saving of over £10,000 per annum?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)With reference to the first paragraph of the hon. Member's Question, I have already on several occasions informed the House that it is in contemplation to promote a certain number of copyists to the Lower Division in accordance with the Treasury Minute of December last, subject to a proper examination of their several cases. The proposal in paragraph 2 seems to me to be opposed to the spirit of the System of examination which has been with much difficulty and after careful consideration established in the Civil Service. As regards paragraph 3, the hon. Member must be aware that it is in contemplation, as far as possible, to employ boy-clerks in lieu of Writers; but I have no data as to the saving that will be caused by their employment.