CAPTAIN GROSVENORsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury. Whether it would not be possible to make arrangements at the Office of Customs, enabling "Writers," by taking extra work at other times, to obtain one fortnight's leave of absence in the course of the year without loss of pay; and, whether he thinks it compatible with the interests of the public service that any class of public servants, upon whatever terms engaged, should be kept at work the whole year round without intermission?
§ MR. STANSFELDsaid, in reply, that he was not prepared to say that to grant this leave of absence would be impossible or unwise; but hon. Members 1147 would understand that it was not desirable frequently to interfere with the discretion of a Government administrative Department with regard to the employment of persons who were not permanently engaged. He would, however, communicate with the Commissioners of Customs on the subject.