§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he is aware that much dissatisfaction exists amongst the junior officers of Inland Revenue, owing to slowness of promotion and consequent loss of salary; whether their complaints have become more urgent in consequence of the scheme of re-organization which took effect on the 1st September instant, and which entails the abolition of a large number of appointments in the higher grades of the Service, thereby injuriously affecting promotion; whether, with reference to a statement made in this House by a Member of the Government on 12th April, 1886, that assistants of Excise attained the rank of ride officer after about five years' service, there are at present many assistants of almost seven years' service, whilst others, at the ordinary rate of promotion, cannot expect to attain the rank of ride officer until after nine or 10 years' service; whether, in the recent re-arrangement of salaries, assistants of long service have received no practical acknow- 1654 ledgment of their claims; and, whether, with a view to allay the prevailing discontent, and maintain the efficiency of an important branch of the Revenue Service, the Government propose giving any compensation to those whoso prospects have been injured, and who are suffering the disadvantage of deferred promotion?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSOHBN) (St. George's, Hanover Squire)The statement made on the 12th of April, 1886, conveyed the facts as they then were. It was, however found, on a recent revision of the Excise Establishment, that, owing to a large diminution in the number of brewers, a less number of officers was required for the service of the Revenue than formerly. This led to the re-organization which took effect on the 1st instant, by which the number of stations to which assistants would be promoted was reduced. As a set-off against this unavoidable disadvantage, the Treasury sanctioned an increase of salary being given to the assistants after three years' service, and another after six years'. In the rearrangement of salaries a small advantage was given to assistants of long standing. The reduction in the staff was the result of altered circumstances; and the best compensation was given to officers for deferred promotion that those circumstances allowed, due regard being-had to economy of administration. In estimating the effect of the recent reorganization upon the prospects of assistants, it must be remembered that if the places to which they can be promoted are fewer under the new system, the salaries of those places are higher.