§ MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he is aware that there are now over 500 Assistants of Excise who at the present rate of promotion in their department will probably serve from seven to ten years without any increase of salary; and, if so, whether any improvement in their position is contemplated?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER) (Wolverhampton, E.)There are about 430 second class Assistants of Excise and 335 first class. The average length of time which it takes for a second class Assistant to become a first class Assistant, and for a first class Assistant to obtain promotion into the class next above him, is, in each case, about two and a-half years. No improvement in their position is contemplated.