§ MR. G. C. T. BARTLEY (Islington N.)On behalf of the hon. Member for Camberwell, Peckham (Mr. BANBURY): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that certain Second Class Examining Officers of Customs of approved character, with over 17 years' service in that grade, have been debarred from attending an examination for promotion instituted by Customs General Order 86/'94, under the provision of Treasury Minute of 24th of March 1891; and, whether, in view of the terms of their appointment to the service, namely, that the highest positions in the outdoor department were open to them, the Government will favourably consider the case of these officials?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) PrestonUp to 1891 the system of promotion from 1423 the Second to the First Class of Examining Officers of Customs was by selection. It was in that year altered to one of examination, partly written, partly viva voce. It was then found that some of the older and best officers who were well fitted for promotion by their experience and practical knowledge were not fitted to pass a written examination, and such men under the General Order of 1894 were allowed to qualify by a viva, voce examination only. All others are of course still allowed to compete in the ordinary examination, and the higher positions are thus open to them.