§ MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that, under the Treasury Minute of 24th March, 1891, relating to the administration of the Customs Outdoor Department, the three Surveyors General were constituted a regular Committee to be directly consulted by the Board in respect of promotions, and to bring promotions before the Board (p. 18), whether, in the case of the recent promotion of Mr. Wakelin, First Class Examining Officer, to be Surveyor, the Committee of Surveyors General was consulted in accordance with the terms of the Treasury Minute; and, if not, why not; and how, and by whom, the submission of this officer's name for promotion was made to the Board?
THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. T. HINNERT, Oldham)Mr. Wakelin's name was not on the list of officers submitted for promotion by the Surveyors General when consulted by the Board. He was selected by the Board on their own responsibility, as they considered that he was an officer of superior merit, and deserving of pro- 1420 motion. The Board consider that, as they are responsible to the Treasury for the administration of the Department, they have full power, and are alone responsible in all matters relating to the promotion of officers.