§ MR. BONDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to certain representations made during the last few years by headmasters of secondary schools to the effect that the character of the examinations for lower division clerkships is such as to exercise a prejudicial effect on the course of study in the 405 schools in which candidates for such appointments are prepared; whether the Civil Service Commissioners have recognised the justice and importance of such representations; and whether any, and what, steps have been or will be taken to alter the regulations for such examinations, so as to give effect to the views expressed by the headmasters?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERYes, Sir. Representations such as those referred to in the question have been received, and have been carefully considered. The Treasury have been in communication with the Civil Service Commissioners on the subject, and regulations embodying a new scheme of examination will shortly be issued.