§ Viscount SANDONasked the Prime Minister in which Departments of the Government one or more permanent officials rank above the subordinate political secretary; what is the purpose and implication of having this system of seniority in these Departments and yet not in the others; whether any steps will be taken to put them all on a uniform basis; and, if so, in which direction?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROfficers of His Majesty's Civil Service, like those of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, rankinter se; and there is and can be no question of instituting a comparison in rank between them and the holders of political office.