§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury how many vacancies have occurred in the grade of inspecting surveyor in the Customs since the creation of that office; and tow many such vacancies were filled by candidates who joined the Customs service as clerks and the outdoor department, respectively.
(Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) I am informed that there have been eight vacancies in the grade of inspecting surveyor since its creation, seven of which were filled by officers who entered the Department as clerks, and the eighth by an officer who entered as an outdoor officer. In deciding on the grade from which appointments shall be made in each case the Board are guided solely by the position held by an officer at the time the selection is made, and not by the rank he held when he joined the Department. Of the eight officers appointed four were surveyors in the outdoor department and four collectors prior to their selection for the post of inspecting surveyor.