HC Deb 04 February 1897 vol 45 cc1294-5
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I bog to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say why the usual examinations for candidates for Customs outdoor officers have not been held in Ireland since October 1894; and when it is proposed to hold an examination?

MR. HANBURY

Examinations for the post of Outdoor Officer have ceased because the post no longer exists, and intending candidates who apply to the Board of Customs are informed that— The situation of Outdoor Officer in the Customs service will in future he styled Assistant of Customs, with an improved rate of salary. Owing to the number of redundant officers, no appointments to the new grade will be offered for competition for three or four years to come. The limits of age for the first competition will be 19 and 25, but they may be altered after it has taken place. It is still not probable that all the qualified redundant outdoor officers now in the Service will become absorbed into the new grade in a period of less than three years from the present date.