§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is a fact that 108 officers of the Excise are men of over forty years' service, and that, before the close of the year, the number will have reached close upon 200; whether any representations have been made to him respecting the inefficiency from old age of many of these officers, who are supervisors and collectors, whereby the public service suffers; and, whether he proposes to take any steps for the retirement of these officers?
§ MR. COURTNEY (for the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER)Out of a total of 4,400, there are at present 115 Excise officers who have served for 40 years and upwards; but it is most improbable that this number will be increased to anything like the extent anticipated in the Question. No representations have reached my right hon. Friend or the Treasury as to the inefficiency of any of these officers. Under these circumstances, there appears to be no reason for interfering with the discretion of the Board of Inland Revenue in the matter of retirements.