COLONEL TAYLORasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is intended to amalgamate the Stamps and Income Tax Departments in the Custom House; and, if so, whether care will be taken in carrying out such amalgamation, that no degradation of rank or classification is inflicted on the clerks, and that due consideration will be shown to their present prospects of promotion?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, it is the intention to amalgamate the Income Tax and Stamps Departments in the Custom House. The Income Tax Department is a very small one, and therefore it is not in my power to give a pledge that the clerks will occupy in the amalgamated department the same class as formerly. It has always been the practice of the Customs, however, to show great consideration for the officers in that Department, and I know nothing in the present case to lead anyone to suppose that this practice will be departed from.