§ Mr. BRADYasked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of assistant clerks (new class) at present serving in the Irish Land Commission who are eligible, as regards length of service, for promotion to clerkships of the second divison; whether he can state the number of second division clerks appointed to the Irish Land Commission during the past twelve months and the number of assistant clerks (new class) promoted during that period; and whether the Civil Service Commissioners have at present no second division clerks to fill vacancies now existing in the Land Commission, and that, although heads of branches have recommended assistant clerks for promotion to second division vacancies, the Treasury have refused to sanction such promotions?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe number of assistant clerks (new class) of over six years' service serving in the Irish Land Commission is ninety-eight. During the last twelve months twelve second division clerks recruited by open competition have been assigned to the Commission and two assistant clerks have been promoted to the second division. I understand that pending the results of the recent open competition the Civil Service Commissioners are unable to fill one vacancy for a second division clerk which has occurred in the Land Commission, but no recommendation for the promotion of an assistant clerk has reached the Treasury. I would remind the hon. Member that such promotions can only be made exceptionally on grounds of special merit.