HC Deb 31 October 1912 vol 43 cc568-9
80. Sir DANIEL GODDARD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in making Colonial appointments, the question of seniority is taken into consideration; and whether, in the appointment of a new Colonial Secretary for Sierra Leone, a man from East Africa has been selected who is junior in the service to at least two men in Sierra Leone, who for years have been looking for promotion?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)

Under Colonial Regulation No. 37, the claims of candidates for promotion in the Colonial service are considered in the order of their seniority, but the selection is mainly decided with regard to official qualifications. This course has been followed in the case of the appointment in Sierra Leone. I may add that the office of Colonial Secretary is a staff appointment, and is not in the ordinary run of promotion in the Colony in which the vacancy occurs.