HC Deb 10 August 1869 vol 198 cc1525-6
MR. WHITWELL

said, in the absence of his hon. Friend (Mr. H. B. Sheridan), he would beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, If the Government is prepared (now that the reorganization of the Customs is under the consideration of the Lords of the Treasury) to consider the case of those twenty extra clerks in the Customs Service who are at present excluded from all promotion or appointment to the "establishment" by the retrospective action of Treasury Orders issued in 1853 and 1856; and, whether the case will be considered with a view to amalgamation or establishing these extra clerks and placing them upon a footing with the established clerks with regard to pay, prospect of promotion, sick leave, and superannuation, or otherwise providing for them in some just and satisfactory manner?

MR. AYRTON

said, in reply, that it appeared that sometimes extra clerks of good character had been eligible to appointments on the permanent establishment. At the same time, there was a proviso that no extra clerk should be appointed to the establishment, unless when first employed he wore within the age prescribed for establishment clerks. That age was twenty-five years. It would seem that these twenty gentlemen were above the age of twenty-five when they were first employed, and could not be admitted to the establishment. His hon. Friend wished to know whether the case would be considered with a view to amalgamation or establishing these extra clerks and placing them on a footing with the established clerks with regard to pay, &c. But it was impossible to depart from the regulations adopted for the general management of the service. The extra clerks, however, appeared to have received some increase of pay; but he was afraid it was impossible to hold out to them any expectation of further consideration. Nor could they be put on the same footing with established clerks for superannuation or otherwise. It was true that the case had been inquired into by the Committee appointed some time ago to investigate the condition of the Customs; but the recommendations of that Committee had not been carried into effect, and they were the subject now of further inquiry.