§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether there is at present any Secretary to the Board of Customs, since the abolition by the Treasury of the post last year to secure a saving of £1,400; whether there are more than two Surveyors General; whether one of them is now acting as Secretary; why the Estimates provide for a resuscitation of the post of Secretary, and also for three Surveyors General; and, what has become of the reduction effected last year?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSOFIEN) (St. George's,) HanoversquareThe post of Secretary to the Board of Customs never was abolished, only suspended; so there is no question of its resuscitation. There are at present only two Surveyors General, one of whom is also acting temporarily as Secretary, and there is also a Surveyor acting temporarily as Surveyor General; the third Surveyor Generalship is thus also in abeyance. The Estimates provide for a Secretary at a salary of £1,200, and for three Surveyors Generals, the same as last year. The ultimate staff is dependent upon the question of amalgamation; but, in any case, there will have to be a Secretary for Customs business. In the meantime, it is necessary to make pro- 1560 vision for the normal strength of the Office, until some decision is come to as to the practicability of amalgamation. But, of course, the money will not be spent unless the places are filled up.