67. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked now many persons who have acted as private secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer since January, 1906, have been promoted to other positions; the particulars of such promotions; whether the head of the Department concerned was consulted in every instance as to the suitability of the appointment; and what steps are taken to ensure that there 2290 is no officer of senior standing in the service possessing equal or superior qualifications for these positions?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)Six of the gentlemen who have acted as private secretary to my right hon. Friend at the Board of Trade and the Treasury, five having already been members of the permanent Civil Service, have been promoted to other positions. One was appointed a member of the Viceroy of India's Council; one became an Insurance Commissioner; one became a chief inspector under the National Insurance Act, and three received Departmental promotions for which they were the next in order of seniority. In each case where a Department already existed the heads of the Department in question were consulted and the promotions or appointments were made by them or on their recommendation. In each case the qualifications of other officers were fully considered.
Mr. F. HALLTs the House to understand that the best means of promotion is to become private secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTIs not the Departmental promotion of private secretaries the usual practice?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think that the hon. Member for Dulwich is unfamiliar with the methods of Civil Service promotion. The persons chosen for such offices as this are, of course, chosen for their special ability, owing to the particular difficulties of their task, and in the Civil Service there is a very great demand for men of such character.