§ MR. GRÆME WHITELAW (Lanark, N. W.)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether, seeing that in December, 1890, a large addition was made to the number of first class clerks in the English Prison Service owing to the representations as to the stagnation of promotion, he can see his way to make a similar concession to the Scotch clerks, the percentage of first class as against second class clerks in Scotland being only 55, while in England it is 117; and, if not, will he explain on what grounds? I beg also to ask the right hon. Gentleman why, seeing that prior to April, 1887, when the systems of accounting in the English and Scotch prisons were different, and from that date (when the English system was introduced into Scotland) till 23rd December, 1890, first and second class clerks in both countries were on the same scale of pay, the clerks in the Scotch Service should since the latter date have been paid, and still continue to be paid, at a lower rate than their English brethren?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN, Glasgow, Bridgeton)The scales of pay of the Scottish prison clerks were improved in the present year and an addition made to the first class of clerks after two investigations, made respectively by a Departmental Committee and an experienced officer of the English Prison Service. In the course of these inquiries, all the clerks came under personal examination. I am not prepared to re-open the question of their salaries and classification. 1136 The hon. Member may not be aware that the English clerks are recruited by a higher scheme of examination than those of the Scottish Service.