§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether it is intended to increase the ordinary leave of the abstractors in the Statistical Department of the Customs in order that they may receive at least the same amount of leave as the messengers; and, when a definite communication may be expected?
§ MR. HANBURYI learn from the Board of Customs that it is not their intention to recommend that the amount of ordinary leave allowed to these abstractors should be increased, and that they have no application before them for such a concession. As stated in an answer to a Question put by the hon. Member for north-east Cork on the 5th March last, the annual leave of abstractors in the Customs is the same as that of their class generally throughout the service. It is also the same as the leave allowed by Order in Council to second division clerks during the first five years of service. As regards sick-leave, a Treasury Minute was issued last April placing abstractors on the same footing as second division clerks.