§ Mr. HAZLETONasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the practice of the Civil Service Commissioners to levy a tax on members of the Civil Service promoted from one class to another by way of examination fee in cases where no exami- 591W nation is actually held; by what authority and with what object this tax is levied; and will he state what is the maximum tax so levied and on what principle the scale is fixed?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is not the practice of the Civil Service Commissioners to charge any fee in the case of an established Civil servant on promotion to another situation in the same Department, unless he is required to undergo a further literary examination.
§ Mr. HAZLETONasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the practice of the Civil Service Commissioners to charge candidates examination fees based on the prospects of successful candidates; if such is the case, why the fees paid by unsuccessful candidates are not refunded; and if he will cause a Return to be made showing how many candidates competed in Ireland for public appointments during the year 1908; how many of these were successful candidates are not refunded; and the amount paid by way of fees respectively by successful and unsuccessful candidates?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEUnder the provisions of the Order in Council of 22nd March, 1879, fees are payable by persons "attending the examinations" held by the Civil Service Commissioners. The amount of such fees is fixed by the Civil Service Commissioners with the approval of the Treasury, and the payment of such fees is not limited to successful candidates. It is the practice in fixing the amount of the fees to take into consideration the scale of salary attached to the situations to be filled, as well as the cost of examination. In the circumstances, I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by furnishing a Return of the nature asked for, the preparation of which would involve considerable labour.