§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that a memorial supported by the heads of Government Departments was forwarded to the Treasury in December last, asking for better pay and prospects for assistant clerks (new class), but that up to the present no reply has been received; and, in view of the fact that a petition signed by the majority of the Members of the House of Commons representing all shades of political belief, was presented to the late Prime Minister last year urging that a committee of inquiry into the pay and conditions of the service of this class of civil servant should be appointed, will he state what action has been taken on the memorial referred to, and when a reply may be expected.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HOBHOUSE,) Bristol, E.Memorials from assistant clerks in several public Departments are under consideration, and I hope that a decision may shortly be arrived at.