§ MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether a vacancy has existed in the higher clerical staff of the Colonial Office for about a year; whether the work attached to the vacant post is of such a nature that it could be performed by an experienced Lower Division clerk; and, if not, whether it would be possible (as recommended by the Royal Commissioners on Civil Establishments) to re-arrange the work so as to allow of an experienced Lower Division clerk being employed on the less responsible portion?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (BARON HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)This Question has been carefully considered by the Secretary of State, in communication with the Treasury, with the view of ascertaining whether any such scheme could be carried out; but, although he is of opinion that any increase of staff which may be rendered necessary hereafter by the increasing business of the Office may be met by an extension of the number of Lower Division clerks, he has satisfied himself that the present number of first-class clerks constitutes the minimum number, without which the business of the Office cannot be satisfactorily carried on. Advantage is, however, being taken of the vacancy to take over a clerk of the same grade from some other Department; and it will not be filled up from outside.