§ Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked whether the upper division clerks in the Secretaries' Office, Somerset House, have recently laid claim to all posts over £500 in value, inclusive of those of 550 at present held by promoted second division clerks; if so, what were the exact terms of the Board's reply to the claim; and whether the conceding of such a claim would abrogate the principle of promotion by merit?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second and third parts, therefore, do not arise.