§ Mr. ALFRED LYTTELTONasked whether a governorship lies outside of the ordinary course of promotion in the Colonial Office; and, if that is the present practice of the Colonial Office, whether he is prepared to reconsider and modify it?
Mr. HARCOURTYes, Sir. A governorship lies outside the ordinary course of promotion both in the Colonial Office and in the Colonial Service. I see no reason for reconsidering or modifying the present practice, and I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that the claims of the Service are fully considered whenever a governorship becomes vacant, my only object being to get the best available man.
§ Mr. LYTTELTONIn the case of a Colonial Secretary say, of Ceylon, would not his claim be considered paramount to that of another person outside the Service of equal ability?