HC Deb 08 May 1911 vol 25 cc830-2
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he was aware that employés in his Department are dissatisfied with the procedure adopted by the Board of Trade when new public services are established, by which nearly all the better-paid positions are filled by patronage, to the exclusion of civil servants, many of whom have made sacrifices to enter the service; whether he would now pledge himself that in all future appointments inquiries should be made and capable men selected from amongst men in the employ of the Board; and (2) if he would furnish the House with a table showing the precise nature of the duties performed by those members of the staff of the central office of Labour Exchanges who were not appointed as a result of competitive examination under the auspices of the Civil Service Commissioners; and also state what was the previous experience which entitled these men to be selected and prevented the selection of men from the ordinary Civil Service?

Mr. BUXTON

I do not admit at all the correctness of the statements made on the question, and I do not think that I can usefully add to my previous replies on this subject—namely, that I am carefully considering the question of the method of appointment to posts under the Labour Exchanges Act.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Would the right hon. Gentleman support the idea of a Royal Commission to inquire into the promotion of these Civil Servants?

Mr. BUXTON

That is a question for the Prime Minister.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House the name of the official who is responsible for the appointments to the Labour Exchanges?

Mr. BUXTON

In what way?

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Who is responsible for the appointment of those gentlemen who have been appointed to offices without any examination?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, I can tell the name: it is the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. LANSEURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether in these appointments to the Central Office any inquiries were made as to whether there were any men available within the service—I am referring to the Central Office only, not the sub-offices?

Mr. BUXTON

I am making full inquiry, and on in communication with the various authorities concerned as to the best method of appointment for the future. The matter will receive full consideration.