§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government will extend to officers of all grades in the Civil Service similar regulations to those already in force in the Army, Navy, and Royal Marines, which require that an annual confidential report by superior officers upon a subordinate, which is of an adverse character and affects his fitness for his present position or for promotion to a higher one, shall be read verbatim to him by his superior officer; and whether, in the interests of justice, the Lords of the Treasury will direct, by a minute, the heads of Departments to communicate to a subordinate the result of a report which is held to prejudice his chances of further advancement in the Civil Service; and, if so, whether a copy of such minute of their Lordships will be laid upon the Table of the House at the same time that it is promulgated to Departments.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAn Order in Council of November, 1898, Section 20, provides that no annual increase of salary shall be allowed to a civil servant without a certificate from his immediate superior, countersigned by the head of his Department. If his immediate superior or the head of his Department declines to give a certificate, he is bound to state his reasons, and the official affected is entitled to know the objection.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the coarse followed should be the same as that followed in the military service?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo; I think in substance the wishes of the hon. and gallant Member are fairly carried out, and I do not think it is necessary to modify the arrangement.