§ Mr. FIELDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state how many clerks have been passed over in the Customs Statistical Office by the promotion of Mr. Chandler to a junior clerkship; whether he can state how many of these men have been offered nomination for promotion to a superior grade for exceptional merit and ability; how many have been granted, as assistant clerks, special increments of £10 for special merit as required by Order in Council; how many have been granted special certificates on promotion to a grade superior to assistant clerks; and what is the reason several clerks, who are certified by nomination and special increments to possess exceptional merit, have been passed over by Mr. Chandler?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first question is forty-five; to the second one—to a port clerkship; to the third five; to the fourth nine were granted fresh Civil Service certificates on promotion to minor staff officers. As regards the fifth question, the qualifications for different posts are different. As I stated in this House on the 6th instant, I do not consider it desirable to discuss in public the qualifications of gentlemen who may be considered, but not selected, for public appointments.
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§ Mr. FIELDalso asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the minor staff officer class in the Customs Statistical Office was created because certain duties were found to be more important than the work usually assigned to assistant clerks, he can state how many years Mr. Chandler's present duties have been performed by assistant clerks; and why the importance of this seat was not discovered when the minor staff officer was created.
Mr. McKINNON WOODMr. Chandler's seat has been occupied by an assistant clerk since 1893, but the duties have much increased of late years in importance and responsibility. The present duties are not of the kind for which the minor staff officerships were created.