§ MR. THORNTONTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that several of the senior assistant clerks have reached the maximum salary of their class, £150; and whether, having regard to the ages of the men concerned, he can hold out any prospect of an early improvement in their position.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) In the Customs Department there are twenty-six senior assistant clerks who have reached the maximum salary (£150) of their class. Their ages vary from forty to sixty-four years, the average age being forty-eight. Sixteen of the twenty-six are in receipt of an allowance of £30 per annum in addition to their maximum salary. I can hold out no prospect of acceleration of promotion for these men, if that is what the hon. Member has in his mind.
§ MR. SEAVERNS (Lambeth, Brixton)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury what was the average number of hours extra duty per man performed by assistant clerks in the Statistical Office of His Majesty's Customs during the year 1906; and how much of such extra duty was compulsory.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I am informed that the average number of hours of extra duty per man performed by assistant clerks in the Statistical Office of the Customs Department during the year 1906 was 374. During 182 of these hours attendance was compulsory owing to the necessity for the early publication of the Monthly Trade Re turns. During 108 hours (included in the 374 mentioned above) attendance was given for the preparation of the Annual Statement of Trade. This attendance was to some extent compulsory, 337 but the wishes of the clerks are met as far as possible. I understand that there is no difficulty in obtaining attendance.