§ MR. DEASY (Mayo, W.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, When it is intended to grant the recently promised £10 per annum increase to those ride officers of Inland Revenue who are standing for the last few years at their maximum, which the Board now consider too low; whether it be true that the re-scheming of the stations of those officers has largely increased their work; if it is intended to increase their travelling and subsistence allowances, which are alleged to be insufficient; and, if the officers who suggested and carried out the re-scheming, which is said to be detrimental to the best interests of the Excise Service and its officers, had been promoted over the heads of a large number of their superior officers?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)From the 1st of September the maximum salary of second-class officers (heretofore styled ride officers) will be £140 instead of £130, an increase of £10. All such officers who on that date have for a period of one year or more been in receipt of £130 will receive their first increment of £5 under the new scale. As a rule, the effect of re-scheming the stations will be to increase the work and responsibilities of the officers, which is the reason why their salaries have been increased. The allowances on account of travelling and subsistence are always considered, and where necessary revised, when the areas of stations are altered. The re-scheming has been both suggested and carried out by the Board of Inland Revenue themselves, who consider it decidedly advantageous to the best interests of the Excise Service, and no question of promotion of officers in connection with the re-scheming has therefore arisen.