HC Deb 29 July 1910 vol 19 cc2630-1W
Mr. FIELD

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the number of Second Division clerks that have been appointed to the Irish Land Commission during the past six months and the number that will probably be appointed before the end of the present year; and whether he will undertake that no more appointments be made to the Second Division in this Department until the claims of assistant clerks eligible for promotion have been fully considered?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

Since the 1st January, 1910, twenty-one clerks of the Second Division have been appointed to the Department in question, and there are at present five vacancies for such clerks; it is not probable that any further additions will be made to the authorised Second Division staff before the end of the present year. Full consideration is always given to the merit of assistant clerks serving in the Department in connection with vacancies arising in the Second Division, but the terms of the Order in Council only permit such promotions to be made exceptionally.

Mr. FIELD

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state how many assistant clerks (new class) are at present employed in the Irish Land Commission; how many promotions have been made from that class to the Second Division during the past six months; whether there are at present over seventy assistant clerks who are eligible by length of service for promotion; and if the Treasury are prepared to sanction the promotion of any of these clerks who are recommended by the head of this Department; if not, whether he will state the circumstances under which such promotions are refused?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The number of assistant clerks (new class) at present employed in the Department in question is 155; no promotions have been made from that class to the Second Division during the past six months, but three assistant clerks (old class) have been so promoted during that period. The number of assistant clerks who are eligible for promotion so far as length of service is concerned is twenty. The Treasury will be prepared to consider any recommendations made by the head of the Department in accordance with the terms of the Order in Council.