§ Mr. KEATINGasked the Chief Secretary whether provision is made in all the public services under the Government in Ireland for promotion from the lower to the higher positions according to merit and efficiency on the part of the officials; whether he can state whether such a provision obtains in the Poor Law service so far as regards the promotion of efficient Poor Law officers to vacancies on the staffs of Local Government Board inspectors and auditors; and whether, if there is not such a provision, he will consider, in the interests of the better working of the Poor' Laws in Ireland, the propriety of providing a percentage of the vacancies to be filled from the ranks of the Poor Law service?
§ Mr. BIRRELLProvision is made for promotion within the public service from the lower to the higher ranks according to merit and efficiency; but no special provision is made for promotion of persons from outside services when vacancies exist on I the staff of Local Government Board 1431W auditors and inspectors. It is the practice in filling such appointments to select candidates who appear to be the best qualified in every respect to fulfil the duties of the office, and it would not be desirable to fetter the discretion of the Department by any such restriction as that proposed.