HC Deb 06 March 1893 vol 9 cc1100-1
MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the judicial powers possessed by Superintendents of the Mercantile Marine Offices under the Merchant Shipping Acts, in settling disputes and other questions affecting shipowners, shipmasters, and seamen, and for the purpose of increasing the usefulness of those offices as tribunals of the first instance, he is prepared to consider the desirability of satisfying his Department, by a test examination or otherwise, that the holders of these appointments shall, for the future, possess a competent knowledge of the shipping statutes; whether any of the present Superintendents of the Mercantile Marine Offices have ever been examined by the Civil Service Commissioners, and how many have entered the service of the Board of Trade without any test whatever; what is the number of Superintendents and Deputy Superintendents discharging superior duties in the Mercantile Marine Offices who have passed the limit of 65 years, at which the Treasury enforce retirement in other Departments; and what is the principle usually governing promotion in the case of members of the clerical staff of the Mercantile Marine Offices, and if individual merit and exceptional efficiency receive recognition in filling up the higher appointments, as in other branches of the Civil Service?

MR. MUNDELLA

There is no reason to doubt the competence of the Superintendents of Mercantile Marine Offices to discharge the duties now entrusted to them, and I am not of opinion that any special examination would tend to increase their competence. The Superintendents and Deputy Superintendents are:—(1) Under the Local Marine Boards; (2) under the Board of Trade; and (3) under the Commissioners of Customs. All those in Class (3) and a few under (1) and (2) have been examined by the Civil Service Commissioners. The number of Superintendents and Deputy Superintendents over 65 years of age is two. Individual merit and exceptional efficiency do receive recognition in determining questions of promotion; but in the majority of cases the promotions do not rest with the Board of Trade.