§ MR. MARK STEWARTI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if it is the case that James Hughes, of Stranraer, who was nominated by the Lords of the Treasury as a Customs boatman, was refused admission to examination by the Civil Service Commissioners on the ground of unsatisfactory certificates as to character; whether, when applied to, the Civil Service Commissioners refused all explanations of the grounds of their decision, although the Provost of Stranraer and other respectable tradesmen certify to Hughes's good character; and whether the Order in Council authorises the action of the Civil Service Commissioners?
SIR J. GORSTJames Hughes passed his examination; but the Civil Service Commissioners having made the usual inquiries, were unable to certify that his character was such as to qualify him for public employment. The Commissioners have refused in this as in all other cases to make public the confidential communications which they receive in answer to inquiries as to character. I am not aware that the Orders in Council allow any appeal in such a case from the decision of the Commissioners.