§ LORD ELCHOasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Government are prepared to establish the Customs extra Treasury clerks, including those excluded from the establishment by the Treasury Order of 1856, or otherwise improve their position; whether the Government have recently established ten extra or temporary clerks at the Local Government Board; and, whether any of these clerks were properly excluded from the establishment by the retrospective action of the Treasury Order issued in 1856?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I understand the word "establishment" to mean the existing establishments, and, understanding it in that sense, I have to say the Government are not prepared to promote these clerks, because the existing establishments are now recruited by competitive examination only. I believe 10 clerks were recently placed on the establishment at the Local Government Board—that is, persons doing the duty of temporary clerks, because it was considered better by the heads of the Department to place them on the establishment. I do not think any of these clerks were excluded by the retrospective action of the Treasury Minute of 1856, because it did not apply to that Department.
§ LORD ELCHOThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the Question whether he would "otherwise improve their position?"
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI have no knowledge of any claim they have for the improvement of their position. ["Oh, oh!"] Any claim they have will be attended to.