§ 38. Mr. BRIANTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he has been requested by the Joint Committee on Departmental Markings to receive a deputation on the question of the recent 2073 Southborough examination in order to lay before him the anomalies arising out of the methods adopted in awarding Departmental marks; and, if so, in view of the hardships inflicted on many ex-service men, if he will agree to the request?
§ Mr. McNEILLYes, Sir; I have received such a request. I have informed the Joint Committee that I am unable to regard the associations constituting it as representative of candidates at the Southborough examination, and in the circumstances I am not prepared to receive a deputation from them on the subject. In any case, however, I should not feel justified in interfering with the awards made by the Civil Service Commissioners.
§ Mr. BRIANTHas the right hon. Gentleman inquired personally into the nature of the grievances of these men?
§ Mr. McNEILLI have already said that I cannot interfere with the discretion of the Civil Service Commission.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the Departmental markings are not the work of the Civil Service Commissioners, but the work of the Department?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo; it is the work of both. The Departmental markings are forwarded to the Commissioners, and they are responsible for the ultimate award.
§ Mr. McNEILLNo, Sir; I do not consider that is any part of my duty.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESSince when have the Civil Service Commissioners been granted autonomy and freedom from Government control?
§ Mr. McNEILLIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants to inquire into the history of this question, he must give me notice.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs it a fact that the Civil Service Commissioners are subservient, or are they not?
§ Mr. McNEILLThey are charged with certain duties—
§ Sir HENRY CRAIKrose—
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not necessary in the interests of purity of administration that the Civil Service Commissioners should be independent?
§ Mr. SKELTONIs there no way of silence being maintained while an hon. Member is asking a question?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhen the Minister is giving a reply, are there no means of letting him make his reply without interruption?
§ Captain GARRO-JONESMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot deal with two questions at the same time. There seem to be so many of these questions that I think it would be better if they were submitted in the ordinary way. Perhaps the Financial Secretary will now complete his interrupted answer.
§ Mr. McNEILLIt is so long since I made my answer that I should be very glad to reply to any question put to me if I can hear it, but I cannot hear half-a-dozen questions at the same time. If the hon. and gallant Member will repeat his question, I will try to answer it.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESThe question I desire to ask is, whether it is or is not a fact that the Civil Service Commissioners are under the jurisdiction of the Government?
§ Sir H. CRAIKNo.
§ Captain GARRO - JONESLet the Financial Secretary answer the question.
§ Mr. McNEILLCertainly, they are not under the jurisdiction of the Government in the sense that the Government have a right to control them.
§ Sir H. CRAIKAlthough they are financially under the control of the Government, is it not essential in appointing Civil Service Commissioners that they should be absolutely independent of the Government of the day?
§ Mr. McNEILLCertainly, that is so.