§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Board of Customs has refused the request of the employés at the Custom House that the monthly advance of salary due on the 1st June should be paid on the 31st May, the 1st of June being a Sunday, and the following Monday a Bank Holiday; whether payment of salaries is paid in other Departments of the Public Service on the,31st; and, whether the Pay Department of the Customs has advised the Board that such payment could be made in the Customs without inconvenience to the Public Service?
§ MR. COURTNEYThese Questions were put on the Paper so late last night that I have been unable to obtain complete answers to all of them; but I have communicated with the Customs, and I find that the point was maturely con- 1468 sidered three years ago, and decided on what appears to me to be adequate reasons. I should think that in the case of those salaried officials who find it difficult to wait 48 hours for their monthly pay, it would be a doubtful boon to make an advance on the eve of a Bank Holiday.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked whether the hon. Gentleman's answer was to be regarded as final, or would he reconsider the question?
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, the announcement was final.