§ Mr. B. SMITHasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the loss by a civil servant of any specific period of seniority, ordered as a disciplinary measure, affects adversely the prospects of, or title to, promotion; whether all Departments of State are required to observe the principle of preference by seniority; whether a civil servant has the right of appeal to the Treasury; and, if so, whether any appeal against the recent decision of the Minister of Pensions to promote two officials over several others in the same grade has been received and determined?
Mr. SAMUELThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; and to the second part that there is no such rule as that suggested by the hon. Member, though seniority is one of the factors taken info account in making promotions. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative, and the fourth part of the question therefore does not arise.