§ COLONEL SADLER (Middlesbrough)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if it is the intention of the Board of Customs to pursue the same policy in the selection of officers for the upper section of preventive officers and the higher posts of the waterguard department as in the case of the junior boatmen candidates for preventive officer-ships, viz.: a percentage being given to young and meritorious men possessing marked administrative qualities; and if he will have regard in making such a selection to the local knowledge an officer may have of the port where a vacancy occurs.
(Answered by Mr. Elliot.) No change is proposed in the method of selection of officers for the upper section of preventive officers and the higher posts of the waterguard department. The selection is made on the combined grounds of length of service and special qualifications.