§ MR. J. McCARTHY (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is a faet that the out-door officers of Customs at Liverpool petitioned the Board of Customs on June 13 last relative to certain travelling allowances of which they have lately been deprived; and if so, whether the officers have not yet received an answer to their petition; whether the examining officers of Customs at Liverpool petitioned the Treasury upon the same subject on June 18 last; and whether the decision of the Treasury has been made known to the officers interested; and if not, whether he will explain the cause of the delay?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.The two Petitions referred to are in the hands of the Board of Customs. The question raised by the examining officers, whose Petition was sent to the Board in the first instance, is of wider scope than that to which the Petition of the outdoor officers relates. The subject of both is somewhat intricate and involves an important principle. Moreover, as some of the points have been directly raised before the Royal Commission Civil Establishments, the Board had necessarily to await the Report of that Commission before taking action in the matter. Careful consideration is now being given to the subject, and a decision may shortly be expected.