§ MR. PIMasked the Secretary to the Treasury, When the Lords of the Treasury intend to extend to the clerks in the Custom Houses at the large outports the new classification adopted in London, as promised in Treasury Minute of the 10th December, 1868; whether their Lordships propose to pay to the clerks at the outports the arrears of the increase of salaries from the 1st of April, 1869, as has been, or is to be done, under Treasury Minute dated the 6th of March last, in the case of the clerks in the London Custom House; whether their Lordships intend, in making out the scale of salaries under the new classification, to pay any regard to the present cost of living and maintaining a family in the outports; and, whether it is their intention to make the salaries of the Customs clerks at the large outports equal to those of the clerks in London?
§ MR. BAXTERSir, the Treasury Minute referred to in the first Question of my hon. Friend approved a scheme of establishment for the Customs clerks in London, and fixed their salaries; but as regards the clerks at the outports the Minute merely authorized the Board of Customs to prepare a plan, and no promise was given to sanction it. On the 1st of January, 1869, the Lords of the Treasury stated that it was not expedient to take any steps with reference to the clerks at the outports; but subsequently they have directed an inquiry to be made into the state of the Customs establishments at the outports, which inquiry, however, has been delayed pending a decision on the Warehousing Departments in London. Instructions have now been issued to proceed with the investigation, commencing with Liverpool, and then probably taking Dublin. The House; I am sure, will agree with me that it would be quite premature to offer any opinion on the measures which may hereafter be recommended by the Special Commissioners and sanctioned by the Treasury; but no doubt all the circumstances of the case, including those stated in my hon. Friend's third Question, will be duly considered.