§ Mr. GREENEasked the Prime Minister what examination, on entry into the Civil Service, was passed by Mr. G. E. P. Murray, who has been appointed a Commissioner of Customs and Excise; if he did not pass any examination, by what means he entered the service, and what were his educational qualifications; what is his total length of service; what is his age; what positions has he held in the Civil Service, and on what dates was he appointed to them; what salary he is now receiving, and what will he receive under his new appointment; and what are his special qualifications for such appointment?
Mr. McKINNON WOODIn July, 1903, on the nomination of the Government of that day, Mr. Murray, who was educated at Eton and Oxford, entered the Civil Service without examination as a Temporary Examiner in the Education Office. His total length of service is about eight and a-half years; his age is thirty-one. He was appointed a Temporary 2514 Examiner on 27th July, 1903, a Junior Examiner on 1st January, 1904, and from 21st December, 1905, to 30th September, 1909, served as Private Secretary to the Lord President of the Council and to the President of the Board of Education. On 1st October, 1909, he was appointed to the office he now holds of Deputy-Accountant-General and Deputy-Chief Clerk of the Board of Education. His existing salary is £750 per annum, on a scale of £700, rising by annual increments of £25 to £850; his salary as a Commissioner of Customs and Excise will be £1,200 a year; his special qualification for the latter appointment is the financial ability which he has shown.
§ Mr. MALCOLMWill Mr. Murray now begin to qualify for a pension?
§ Mr. McNEILLWas he not originally appointed by a Conservative Government, without any question of qualifications?
§ Mr. McNEILLYes, by a Conservative Government!
§ Mr. JOHN WARDIs not that of itself enough to throw doubt on his qualifications?