§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Exchequer and Audit Department have recently issued an order drawing the special attention of subordinates in the Department to Article 10 of the Exchequer and Audit Department Office Rules of 1895, to the effect that the use of political influence for the purpose of advancing claims to Promotion or increase of salary will be considered in the gravest light; whether he will state the totallength of service of the present Assistant Comptroller, and the number of years he has served in each of the positions occupied by him in the different Government Departments, including the Exchequer and Audit Department; and, seeing that the position of Assistant Comptroller is a political appointment, will he explain why Article 10 is in force in the Exchequer and Audit Department, and the reason for recently circulating an order drawing attention to it.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The rule in question is based upon a Treasury Minute, and is, I believe, of universal application throughout the Civil Service. Attention is drawn to it whenever it appears desirable to do so.