§ COLONEL MAKINS (Essex, S.E.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If the number of surveyorships in the London Customs, as fixed by the re-organization of 1882, has been reduced, and is to be further reduced by compelling First Class Examining Officers to perform, at a lower salary, the work originally allotted to Surveyors; and if these reductions will have the effect of stopping promotions for a long period, inflicting severe disappointment and pecuniary loss on the Redundant Clerks who had been induced by the prospects of promotion to accept the altered conditions of service incidental to the duties in the Outdoor Department; and, if the Treasury is prepared, in view of the withdrawal of these prospects of promotion, to compensate the late Redundant Clerks, or, as an alternative, to allow them to return to their former employment and conditions of service on equitable terms?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER) (Wolverhampton, E.)The number of surveyorships in the London Customs which it was considered would be required when the service was re-organized in 1882 is not now felt to be requisite for the Public Service, and the number is being gradually reduced. 295 Some of the duties which are now performed by surveyors will in future be performed by first class examining officers, as the remuneration which these latter officers receive is considered sufficient for the performance of those duties. The reduction in the number of the surveyors will naturally have the effect of retarding promotion in the Department. I cannot admit that under these circumstances the officers whose promotion is retarded have any claim to compensation. The services of the officers who, in 1882, joined the outdoor department are not required in their former offices. If the hon. Member will bring to the notice of the Treasury any particular case of hardship from the alteration of 1882, proper inquiry shall be made.