HC Deb 18 May 1909 vol 5 cc236-7
Mr. MAURICE HEALY

asked what are the branches or departments of the public services to which entry by competitive examination is still closed without official nomination; the reasons for excepting them from the general rule; whether such exceptions exist by virtue of the statute or. merely because the official head of the particular Department has not as yet given his consent to the operation of the statute in the case of his Department; and whether it is intended that the principle of open competition is to be permanently excluded in such cases?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

It is difficult within the limits of an answer to a starred question to give the information asked by the hon. Member. Clerkships in the Foreign Office, situations in the Diplomatic and Consular Services, inspectorships and examinerships under the Board of Education (England and Wales), inspectorships under the Home Office, clerkships in the Supreme Court of Judicature (England), clerkships in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, are the chief classes of situations to which the principle of open competition has not been applied. The precise reasons differ in each case, but in the main open competition is not resorted to in these cases because it is not considered to be a sufficient test of candidates' qualifications. In addition there are many classes of situations for which technical or professional training is required which are only open to candidates whose qualifications have previously been ascertained by the nominating Department, and a great many minor situations, such as that of postman,. which are filled by nomination of single candidates subject to a qualifying examination conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners. There is no general statute requiring selection by open competition. The Orders in Council leave a discretionary power in the hands of the Treasury, the Department concerned, and the Civil Service Commission, acting conjointly, as to the manner of selection, whether by open competition, limited competition among nominated candidates, or single nomination. There is no present intention of changing the method of selection for any of the situations of classes of situations mentioned above.

Mr. MAURICE HEALY

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer that portion of my Question which asks whether nomination in the cases mentioned is still required by virtue of the Statute, or merely for the want of the consent of the head of the Department concerned?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

It depends on the head of the Department and on the Order in Council.