§ MR. SERJEANT SIMONasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is the fact that the Government of Jamaica, in order to effect the retrenchment of the public expenditure in that island, recommended by the Royal Commissioners, has commenced by reducing the salaries of the minor officials of the Revenue Department, down to even the hunters and searchers of the Custom House, whilst those of the chiefs of the department and other high officials are left untouched; whether this course has been adopted with the concurrence of the Legislative Council, or by the advice of the official members only; and, whether the subject has re- 846 ceived the consideration of Her Majesty's Government?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe retrenchment of expenditure in the Revenue Departments of Jamaica has principally taken the shape of lopping off redundant offices, and the proposed reductions of salary are but slight. The changes are only prospective. Existing interests and salaries will not be touched. The action is that of the Executive and not of the Legislative Council, and the subject has received the consideration of Her Majesty's Government.