§ MR. HEALYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he is aware that the promotion of redundant clerks to the higher division in the warehousing departments in the Customs has been suspended by the Board of Customs; 1203 whether the action of the Board has been taken in accordance with any directions given by the Treasury; and, if so, whether he will be good enough to state the grounds on which the redundant clerks have been deprived of their promotion?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHSir, measures are in contemplation for improving and simplifying the bonding and warehousing system in the Revenue Departments; and, in view of economies which it is hoped may be effected, the Board of Customs have suspended the filling up of vacancies in the upper division of clerks in the warehousing departments. This was done by the Board on their own responsibility; but the Treasury entirely approve the course pursued. I must remind. the House that the selection of redundant clerks for the upper division is absolutely according to merit, and not of seniority; nor are vacancies necessarily filled up from the redundants in the Department in which they occur.