§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, on the reorganisation of the London Customs Tea and Dry Goods Accounts Office in 1901, some eight senior abstractors of long service and Departmental experience were voluntarily transferred from the out ports to seats in the new office, carrying a £30 allowance; that, although they were recognised by their Board and the Treasury as eligible for a port clerkship, only the name of one of three seniors has been submitted to the Treasury for promotion to the lower grade of port clerkships; and that the three seniors were, six months ago, informed by their collector that the Board of Customs had accepted their names for recommendation to the Treasury for promotion; and whether he will see that these officers get the promotion which they were led to expect.
(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish) Only one of the three abstractors referred to by the hon. Member fulfilled the conditions governing promotions to the lower grade of port clerkships.