§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Comptroller and Auditor General has applied to that Department for permission to recruit the ranks of the higher division clerks in the Exchequer and Audit Department by means of men selected after passing a higher division (Class 1) examination; and, if so, what reason does the Comptroller and Auditor General give for applying for such officers to superintend the audit of 363 Public Accounts instead of men, examiners and second division clerks, who have many years practical experience in the auditing of these Public Accounts.
(Answer.) The Comptroller and Auditor General has applied to the Civil Service Commissioners for two officers to be selected by means of open competition under Class 1 to fill impending vacancies in the Directing Branch of his Department. This course is in accordance with the Scheme under which his Department is organised, and is in his opinion desirable in the interests of the Department.—(Treasury.)