§ COLONEL DALBIAC (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether two of the personal clerks likely to be promoted to the staff of the Labour Department of the Board of Trade are receiving £140 per annum. whereas established abstractors of nearly 20 years' service are receiving but £110; and, whether, if these promotions are sanctioned, these men will receive the same salaries they are now receiving, on promotion, viz., £140 per annum; and, if so, will he provide that the men now no the establishment, of longer service, shall receive the same rate of pay.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)Two personal clerks in the Labour Department of the Board of Trade are about to be placed on the establishment at their existing salaries of £140. I cannot properly enter into comparisons between 924 the relative merits of officers in the Department, which is a very large one. These merits are carefully weighed whenever promotions or appointments are considered. The answer to the last part of the question is "No."