§ 53. Captain RAMAGEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why, when a non-service official was promoted to the rank of first-class valuer over the heads of ex-service officials of equal and higher seniority, as notified in the Inland Revenue Weekly Notes of the 1503 9th February last, those ex-service officials who, from their records, might reasonably have looked for promotion, were not even interviewed by the chief valuer's conference with regard to this appointment; and what are the principles upon which promotions are made in the Valuation Office?
Mr. GRAHAMPromotions in the Valuation Office, as in other branches of the Revenue, are made by the head of the Department, on recommendations submitted by a Departmental Promotions Committee. Promotion is by merit. Where, as in the case in question, selection is to be made from amongst second-class valuers, evidence as to comparative merit is furnished by first-class valuers and considered by superintending valuers in conference in the light of their own knowledge of the staff. Candidates are interviewed by the conference in cases where it may be necessary to supplement the evidence, more particularly in the delicate task of making the final comparison of the most meritorious officers. The number of interviews thus required is comparatively small. The recommendations of the conference are in due course laid before the Departmental Promotions Committee. On the position of ex-service staff, I would refer to the reply given on the 26th February last to the hon. and gallant Member, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESHas the hon. Gentleman gone into the facts of the case in question, and has he satisfied himself, personally, that there has been no such victimisation of an official, who, apart from doing good service, is an active defender of the rights of ex-civil servants?
Mr. GRAHAMI can certainly say to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there is no foundation whatever for that suggestion. The problem, as he will see from the long reply I have given, is entirely one of merit, and the decision in this case must rest with the Departmental chief.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the official to whom I have referred had 15 years' excellent service, and was passed over without any 1504 examination whatever, and that he had taken an active part on behalf of ex-civil servants?
Mr. GRAHAMI think the short reply is that these promotions are really regulated by committees, who take the whole facts into account, and I have not discovered any case that could be described in any way as victimisation.