§ MR. C. DUNCAN (Barrow-in-Furness)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there are about thirty men, known as survey staff clerks, 505 employed in the London and outport offices of the Marine Department, and that the average service of these clerks is about seventeen years, whilst some have a record of thirty years service; and whether, in view of their eligibility, after only six years service, for promotion to Second Division clerkships under the Order in Council, dated 29th November, 1898, he will ascertain why no such promotions have yet been made; and whether he will see that the total absence of promotion in this respect is redressed by filling future vacancies for Second Division clerkships in his Department from amongst these men.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the Question. The clerks to the surveyors form a separate class, and I am informed that there have been very few opportunities of promoting them to the Second Division. One clerk was transferred to the Board of Trade and afterwards promoted to the Second Division, and the possibility of making further promotions under the terms of the Order in Council as occasion arises will not be overlooked.