§ MR. PICKERSGILLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether so long ago as March, 1888, the Board of Customs recommended that certain writers engaged in the Statistical Department should be promoted to the Lower Division; and, having regard to his reply given on the 13th March, 1888. to the Member for South-West Bethnal Green, that "the question how best to deal with them is now before the Treasury," what is the explanation of the protracted delay which has occurred, and when will the Treasury arrive at a decision in the matter?
§ MR. JACKSONI understand that the Board of Customs did not, in March, 1888, recommend that any writers engaged in the Statistical Office of Customs should be promoted to the Lower Division. They did recommend some writers in other Departments for promotion. I understand that the writers in the Statistical Office, who are doing work a little better than that generally done by writers, are being paid a special rate for the special work.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLIs it not the fact that the special rate of pay was represented as a mere temporary and provisional arrangement?
§ MR. JACKSONNot that I am aware of.