MR. HARCOURTasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether there is 323 any immediate prospect of the settlement and promulgation of the scheme of Customs reorganisation; what terms of retirement are to be offered to the Customs; and, whether the provisions of the Admiralty and War Office Bill (Superannuation) are to be extended to the Customs and other civil departments?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONThe question of the re-organization of this important Department has been under the consideration of the Treasury for some time, and the delay in finally settling it has arisen in consequence of the recent appointment of a new Chairman, the Government thinking it was wise to wait the opportunity for his considering the scheme. With regard to what terms of retirement are to be offered, I beg to say that they will be the ordinary terms under the system of 1859. There is no intention on the part of the Government to extend the provisions of the Bill before Parliament relating to the Admiralty and War Office to any others than those specially included in it.