HC Deb 26 February 1883 vol 276 cc841-2
MR. RITCHIE

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is true that the Board of Customs last June, with the sanction of the Treasury, increased the number of surveyorships in the out-door department of the London Customs in order to provide for the establishment of the new Customs warehousing system; whether the Board of Customs has now decided to reduce the number of surveyorships; whether this proceeding, without giving compensation to the officers for the chances of promotion of which they are thus deprived, is a breach of faith to those clerks in the old warehousing departments who were transferred in June last to the new out-door department of the Customs, and who accepted employment in that department upon the strength of the new classification; and, whether this proceeding has been adopted with his sanction?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

In reply to the hon. Gentleman, I have to state that I understand that the Board of Customs do not contemplate filling up an existing vacancy among the Surveyors in the Port of London, the number of which was increased last year, inasmuch as that number is found to be in excess of the requirements of the Public Service. I am informed that, as vacancies occur, the Board of Customs will, probably, still further reduce the number of Surveyors. As to the third Question of the hon. Member, I am afraid that I must distinctly say that, in my opinion, the number of officers in any rank must depend upon the requirements of the Service, and that I cannot admit that any breach of faith with junior officers is committed when it is found necessary to reduce the number of the seniors. No officer has any claim, moral or equitable, to the retention of any particular classification of officers senior to him. In answer to the last Question, I have to say that a decision of the Board of Customs, not to fill up a vacancy when the office was no longer necessary, is not one as to which I should interfere.

MR. RITCHIE

gave Notice that on an early date he would call attention to the matter.