MR. HAY DEN (Leitrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that discontent exists in the excise branch of the Inland Revenue owing to the delay in filling up vacancies in the superior ranks, and also through the retention of many aged and feeble superior officials who are blocking the road to the promotion of younger and more competent men; and whether, on account of the reduction of the number of supervisors, the present staff have to work from 12 to 14 hours per day to keep up the business of the revenue?
§ * MR. GOSCHENI am not aware of any discontent in the excise service from the cause stated, and no unnecessary delay takes place at any time in filling up vacancies. There are no aged and feeble officials in this Department, nor any persons whose services are not of a character to justify their retention in the interests of the public service. There has been no reduction in the number of supervisors since 1887.