§ MR. SNOWDENI beg to ask the Prime Minister when the proposed transfer of the Excise to the Customs is to take effect, and if the respective departments have made any calculations as to the effect of the transfer on the number of the Excise outdoor staff and of the Customs staff; and, if so, is the result expected to be an increase or decrease in the respective staffs, and to what extent.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (for Mr. ASQUITH)The proposed transfer of the Excise to the Board of Customs cannot take effect until the necessary adminis- 1118 trative arrangements have been completed, and this will take some time. It is impossible at present to fix a date for the transfer, or to say what the effect will be on the respective staffs thereafter.