§ MR. ANDERSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether, in view of the changes which are now being carried out at the Customs Outports, consequent on the introduction of the new warehousing system, the clerks who may be made 1739 redundant will have the opportunity afforded them of retiral on the usual abolition terms, in lieu of being compelled to accept of inferior work, or of being made liable to removal to other ports; whether the senior clerks who are near their maximum of salary, and who may be compelled, or who may elect to retire, will be allowed the full retiring allowance of forty-three-sixtieths on their maximum; and, whether the junior clerks affected by the changes will be allowed the alternative offer of a transference to the Outdoor Department, retiral from the service on the abolition terms, or equivalent clerical employment in other Departments?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, clerks who, on reasonable grounds, decline the outdoor service, and for whom appropriate duties cannot be found at their own or other ports, will be allowed to retire on abolition terms. These terms will not, however, in any case exceed two-thirds of their salaries. That limit was imposed by Statute, and could not be exceeded in the case of the London clerks. In dealing with each case due regard will be had to the health of the officer and other circumstances; but, speaking generally, the men will continue to perform the same class of work as before, and, for the most part, in the same place.