§ Mr. WILESasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, since the date when the Hobhouse Committee's Report was issued, certain sub-engineers, who had already been awarded second-class engineers' certificates in the departmental examination, have been compelled to again submit themselves for examination; and will he state if others in the engineering branch, of equal service, but who have failed to obtain the certificate of qualification, have been promoted to the higher rank without re-examination?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONIt has been thought advisable that certain sub-engineers who had passed a qualifying test examination of the standard formerly in force should enter for an examination of higher standard. There are officers who have been promoted in the past without passing the examination now imposed in all cases; but no officer has been promoted who was not at the time regarded as qualified.