HC Deb 14 July 1910 vol 19 cc603-4
Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can grant the Return standing on to-day's Order Paper in the name of the Member for the Isle of Wight, showing the number of Government officials appointed without examination by the Civil Service Commissioners?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The preparation of a Return of all appointments made from 1906 to the present time and of the rank and salaries of the persons appointed would necessitate the collection of information from a number of Departments, and its value would not, in my opinion, be commensurate with the labour involved.

Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

Is there any reason to conceal the number of appointments they have made without previous examination?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

As far as I know, no. Of course, I am not responsible for that. I am only responsible for the collection of the information from the other Departments. As pointed out to the hon. Gentleman, that would involve a great deal of time and labour.

Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very general feeling throughout the country that these appointments are made for political purposes?

Mr. STUART-WORTLEY

Is it not perfectly possible that this Return could be given without very much inconvenience?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

That is not the information I have received.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is the Secretary to the Treasury aware that several Departments have already, in answer to questions which I have put in the House, given the very information asked for now, and, if so, what is the difficulty in compiling this Return?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I was not aware of that, and I am not aware of it now.

Mr. MacVEAGH

You can take it from me that that is so.