§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)asked the Secretary to the Trea- 1077 sury, Whether the writers in the Statistical Department of the Customs House are performing, and have for many years performed, at a remuneration of 10d. per hour, duties similar to those discharged by the Redundant and Lower Division clerks in that Department; whether the late Principal of the Department described the work as "book-keeping of a high class;" and, whether these writers, or any of them, have been recommended for promotion to the Lower Division under the provisions of the Treasury Minute of December, 1886; and, if so, when such recommendation will be carried into effect?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) Leeds, N.)A Departmental Committee which recently inquired into the work performed in the Statistical Department of the Customs came to the conclusion that there is not much difference between the work of many of the Lower Division clerics and that of many of the copyists in the branch, but that this work was not of such a character as might be required from the Lower Division. I have no knowledge of any such statement as that attributed to the late Principal. The Board of Customs have recommended certain copyists for promotion to the Lower Division; but the Committee thought the case could best be met by some special rates of pay. The question how best to deal with them is now before the Treasury.