§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Education the reason for amalgamating the posts of accountant-general and chief clerk in October, 1909, and for separating them in December, 1911?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)The reason for amalgamating the posts of accountant-general and chief clerk in October, 1909, was the close connection between the duties involved. This amalgamation was accompanied in 1909 by the appointment of a deputy accountant-general, to whom, in view of his financial ability, was assigned in the first instance that part of the work which dealt with accounts. On the appointment of the deputy-accountant-general as a Commissioner of Customs and Excise and the promotion of the accountant-general and chief clerk to a principal assistant secretaryship, it was found more convenient, having regard to the particular qualifications of the officers concerned, to preserve the connection between the two posts by the present arrangement under which the chief clerk is also deputy accountant-general the accountant-general's duties being discharged by a separate officer.
§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the principal assistant secretary of the elementary schools branch of the Board has in ten years had the salary which he received on first entering the service of the Board increased from £200 to £1,200 per annum, he will accord to those members of the staff who entered the office by means of a competi- 966 tive examination opportunities of similar advancement in status and salary?
§ Mr. PEASEThere are no regulations which render persons who enter the office by competitive examinations ineligible for any posts. Promotions in my Department will be made solely in accordance with the fitness of officers for particular posts.
§ Mr. SNOWDENAre we to assume that the gentleman referred to has received his rapid promotion as a result of exceptional merit?