§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether abstractors (assistant clerks) who show the necessary qualifications for promotion to the Second Division are entitled to such promotion, according to the regulations under which they enter, after six years' service, including service as boy clerks up to two years; and what is the total length of service, including service as boy clerks up to two years, of each of the six senior abstractors in the Exchequer and Audit Department.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Under Clause 15 of the Order in Council of the 29th November, 1898, an assistant clerk who has had not less than six years established service may receive, on the recommendation of the head of his department and with the approval of the Treasury, appointment to the Second Division. But the Order directs that such appointments are only to be made upon grounds of merit and in exceptional cases. By a later Order not less than one nor more than two years service as boy clerk may be reckoned. I am informed that none of the six abstractors referred to has had more than four years and four months service.