§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Dublin, Co., S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether Mr. James M'Alister, Supernumerary Principal Clerk of the Customs in Dublin, is about to be superannuated against his wish, though in good health and only in the 61st year of his age; and whether, in the event of his retirement taking place, it will be a breach of the engagement made by a previous Secretary to the Treasury?
§ *MR. JACKSONMr. James M'Alister, who held the office of principal clerk at the Port of Dublin, and who is now in the 61st year of his age, has, on the recommendation of the Commissioners of Customs, lately been put on the Superannuation List, after a service of 42 years, at the highest retiring allowance to which he could become entitled. Mr. M'Alister did express to the Board of Customs his desire to be retained in the Service a little longer; but as the place which he vacates is no longer required, and has, in fact, been for some time redundant of the proper establishment, 1075 the Board of Customs did not think that he had any case for appeal. There will not be in the case of Mr. M'Alister any breach of an engagement made with regard to him by a previous Secretary to the Treasury.