§ MR. J. H. LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury between what ages men are admitted to employment as Customs boatmen; and whether any, and, if so, what exceptions to the age limits are allowed.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY (Sir A. ACLAND-HOOD,) Somersetshire, WellingtonThe age of admission to appointments as Customs boatmen is at present 532 between seventeen and twenty-two years. On and after 12th May, 1905, the limits of age will be seventeen and twenty. An established officer may be appointed to a second situation whatever his age, provided that at the time of his first appointment to the service he was eligible under the regulations then in force for his second situation. Extra officers may be admitted up to the age of forty, provided they were first employed in the Customs before they were twenty-two † and have been employed for not less than six months in each year.