§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAMI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of giving more favourable consideration to the case of the boatmen, who are termed by him as the "first line of defence of Her Majesty's Revenue"; whether he is aware that the boatmen desired the abolition of classification on condition that their yearly increment of £1 be raised to £2 10s.; whether that will be conceded them now, or will they be placed on the same footing as boy clerks as regards increment; and is he aware that, before the decision to abolish the two classes, a boatman could rise to 1290 the maximum of £80 in seventeen years, whereas under the present régime it will take twenty-five years?
§ MR. GOSCHENThe Customs' boatmen, as well as all other branches of the Service, deserve and receive every consideration. The Board of Customs are carrying out the provisions of the Treasury Minute with strict impartiality. With regard to the remainder of the hon. Member's question, certain recommendations have just been received from the Board of Customs, which there has not yet been time to consider.