HC Deb 30 April 1896 vol 40 cc200-1
* MR. H. KIMBER (Wandsworth)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether the technical and professional posts in the Civil Service, referred to in Paragraph 14 of the Treasury Minute of 10th August 1889, upon the Second Report of the Royal Commission on Civil Establishments, have yet been scheduled in accordance with the intention stated in that Minute, and whether the regulations relating to appointments thereto have yet been published; and, whether he would supplement the Return of persons appointed to such posts under Clause VII. of the Order in Council of the 4th June 1870, promised on 5th March last in response to an inquiry addressed to him by the hon. Member for King's Lynn, by adding to that Return similar information in regard to persons employed temporarily in respect of technical or professional qualifications otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of the said clause.

MR. HANBURY

The reference in the paragraph of the Minute referred to is to appointments under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act 1859. They are offices requiring professional or other peculiar qualifications which cannot readily be tested by competitive examination. Such offices are scheduled, and no addition can be made to them except by an order or warrant laid before Parliament. No order is made without previous consideration by the Board of Treasury of a statement by the Department concerned of the special qualifications required. The appointment is then made directly by the Statutory Authority, no Civil Service certificate is required, and no further regulations appear necessary. I do not understand the connection between the Return promised to the hon. Member for King's Lynn and what is now suggested by the hon. Member for Wandsworth. The one relates to permanent clerks appointed under Clause VII. of the Order in Council of 1870 and the other is for temporary clerks not so appointed. The information would be very difficult to give as many temporary employes are employed only by the week, but the numbers could be given if the hon. Member desires.