§ MR. JOHN BURNS (Battersea)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, if it is true that the Civil Service Commissioners have failed to supply suitable clerks to fill the existing vacancies in the Statistical Office, Customs, thereby compelling the principal of that office to advertise in the London daily papers for clerks to fill the vacant posts; and, if so, whether he can state the reason of the failure of the Civil Service Commissioners to obtain suitable candidates for these appointments?
§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASThe Civil Service Commissioners would have no difficulty in providing for the existing vacancies by examination in the ordinary way, but the manner in which Statistical Abstractors in the Customs Department should be recruited in future is now under consideration. Pending a settlement of the question, the Board of Customs were authorised to obtain from outside such temporary clerical assistance as they might require.
§ MR. BURNSI would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will investigate into the truth or otherwise of the disproportionately largo number of those temporary men who have got through without examination, and the statement that they are relatives of officials in the office?
§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASI will report on the subject to my hon. Friend.