§ Mr. FIELDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state how many vacancies have been available on the senior section port clerkships on 1st April; how many assistant clerks in the statistical office are eligible by service for promotion; and whether, in view of the small proportion of promotions in the statistical office, he will arrange that some of the existing vacancies may be allotted to meritorious assistant clerks in the statistical office?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe clerkships vacant on April 1st were 5 of the 1st class, 2 of the 2nd class, upper section, and 10 of the 2nd class, lower section. There are 124 assistant clerks in the Statistical Office who are eligible, so far as length of service is concerned, for promotion to clerkships of the 2nd class, lower section. Such promotions are only made occasionally, and on the ground of special merit, but the claims of any properly qualified assistant clerks are duly borne in mind when vacancies are being filled.