§ MR. BOWLES (Middlesex, Enfield)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether two Upper Division clerks in the Statistical Department of Her Majesty's Customs have recently been promoted to the principal clerks, thus causing a total of five vacancies on the Upper Division, to which no promotion has been made since 1885; whether he is aware that this prolonged stoppage of promotion is giving rise to grave discontent in the Department; what is the cause of delay in completing the reorganisation on the seven hours scale; and when the scheme will be brought into full effect?
§ SIR H. MAXWELLThe Commissioners of Customs are in receipt of the decision of the Treasury as to the promotions to be made in the Statistical Department of the Customs, and there will be no delay in carrying them out. The adoption of the seven hours system throughout the office is contingent on a reduction of staff which can only be effected gradually as vacancies occur.