§ SIR JOHN COLOMB (Tower Hamlets, Bow, &c.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he will inquire into the working of the experimental alterations of the legal hours for landing goods at Liverpool, Hull, and Grimsby; and, whether he can give any undertaking that, in any change it may be necessary to adopt for facilitating the operations of trade, the just claims and legitimate interests of Customs Officers (Outdoor Department) will not be overlooked?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)Yes, Sir. I will inquire carefully into the working of the alteration of the legal hours for landing goods at Liverpool, Hull, and Grimsby. I have been in communication with the Commissioners of Customs; and as soon as they have had sufficient experience to enable them to make a Report to the Treasury they have undertaken to do so. As to the second Question of my hon. and gallant Friend, I think a wholly wrong impression has been created in the minds of the officers; and I can assure him that it is not intended to call upon the Landing Officer of Customs to perform more than the eight hours' work on the average for the same remuneration: and I can promise him that in any alteration which it may be necessary to make for the purpose of meeting the reasonable and pressing requirements and facilities for trade, every consideration will be given to the position of the officers, so as to make such changes with the least possible inconvenience to those concerned; and I am sure we may rely on the loyal co-operation of the Customs officers in carrying out such alterations as may be found to be absolutely necessary.