§ MR. O'DOWDTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the fact that some eighty new class assistant clerks in the Statistical Office of the Customs are eligible by service for promotion, will he arrange for a proportion of the vacancies at the forthcoming examination for port clerkships to be given to meritorious men in the Statistical Office.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman). The course suggested by the hon. Member has in fact been taken. Four assistant clerks in the Statistical Office have been nominated by the Treasury for appointment to port clerkships, which in ordinary-course would have been offered for competition at the forthcoming examination.