§ MR. NEVILLE (Liverpool, Exchange)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the action, at Liverpool in February last, of the Deputy-Chairman of the Board of Customs in ordering the immediate dissolution of the joint committee of the examining officers and outdoor officers of Customs, censuring the members of that committee and other officers, and ordering the removal to other posts of five examining officers and six outdoor officers; whether the committee had been guilty of any breach of existing regulations which justified such action; and, if not, whether he will instruct the Board of Customs to remove the censure passed on the officers and the interdict on their association; what was the reason of the removal of the officers from Liverpool; and whether they have been restored to their former positions?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds N.I have received a Report from the Commissioners of Customs with reference to the hon. Member's Question. The Treasury does not interfere with matters of discipline in the Revenue Departments unless specially appealed to. In the present case I am informed that the Board of Customs had reason to believe that the committee referred to was organizing opposition throughout the service to the orders of the Board, and the Commissioners took steps for the dissolution of the committee 1275 and for the removal to other ports of certain officers. I am informed that several of the officers selected for removal petitioned to be allowed to remain at Liverpool, and that the Commissioners, their directions having been obeyed, have granted this request.