HC Deb 20 March 1917 vol 91 cc1749-50W
Mr. CRUMLEY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will now state the number of officers promoted to Class I. and the number promoted to Class II. under the Irish prisons new scheme in each of the following prisons: Belfast, Mountjoy, Maryborough, Waterford, Cork (male), Tralee, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Londonderry, and Armagh; where and on what date the examinations, as a result of which these men were promoted, were held; on what subjects they were examined; who were the examiners; in what manner it is intended to deal with those promotions in future; is he aware that promotion in the Irish prison service has at all times been obtained either by private influence or on the recommendation of prison governors, given in secret lists sent by them under double cover on the 1st June each year to the Prisons Board, as authorised by Circular 454 of the Prison Circulars, dated the 26th May, 1897, and signed S. H. Douglas, secretary; and whether ho will now take steps to abolish and cancel those circulars and to establish a proper system of competitive examination for promotion, such as exists in the Royal Irish Constabulary and other branches of the Government service?

Mr. DUKE

I am circulating a statement showing the number of prison officers promoted to Classes I. and II. (males) at the time that these officers happened to be stationed at the prisons referred to. Officers are employed for the General Prisons Service, and are sent for duty to particular prisons according to the work to be done and the zeal and efficiency they have shown. The test for promotion is not ability to pass an examination, but capacity and efficiency as shown in actual work during the period of service, and private influence is not an element in selecting officers for promotion.

STATEMENT showing number of Prison Officers promoted to Classes I. and II.
Class I.
Belfast Prison … … … 1
Mountjoy Prison … … … 2
Maryborough Prison … … … 4
Waterford prison … … … Nil
Cork (Male) prison … … …Nil
Tralee prison … … … Nil
Limerick prison … … … Nil
Gal way prison … … … Nil
Sligo prison … … … Nil
Londonderry prison … … … Nil
Armagh prison … … … 1
Class II.
Belfast Prison … … … 6
Mountjoy prison … … … 7
Maryborough Prison … … … 11
Waterford prison … … … 1
Cork (Male) prison … … … 2
Tralee prison … … … Nil
Limerick prison … … … 2
Galway prison … … … 1
Sligo Prison … … … Nil
Londonderry prison … … … 1
Armagh prison … … … 3