§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was aware that the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dewsbury, when Financial Secretary to the Treasury, admitted in the House of Commons on 16th May, 1907, that the disparity between the salaries of clerks and officers of Customs was greater than anyone anticipated it would be; and whether steps would be taken by the Committee of Inquiry now sitting to carry out the right lion. Gentleman's wish that some means should be found to lessen this disparity?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI am aware of the remarks made by my right hon. Friend on this subject. The Amalgamation Committee has been appointed in order to secure the fusion of the Customs and Excise staffs with the least possible hardship to the various grades affected, rather than to consider questions of this kind. I understand, however, that the salaries of clerks and officers will, necessarily, both come under the review of the Committee.