§ Mr. O'GRADYasked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer's attention has been directed to the fact that 70 per cent, of the clerks employed in the offices of Inland Revenue surveyors of taxes are un-established and liable to have their engagements terminated at a week's notice, on the ground that their duties were of a routine character; whether he is aware that the main consideration in framing the list of established clerks was the class of the district in which they happened to be employed at the time the Treasury scheme of April, 1908, took effect; whether he is aware that the clerks employed in the lower class districts are discharging duties of a confidential and responsible nature, similar in character to those of established clerks; and, if so, whether, having regard to the interests of the public, he will consider the advisability of placing the whole of the clerks employed on this work upon the establishment?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am informed that the question of the further establishment of clerks in the offices of surveyors of taxes is the subject of a petition which is now before the Board of Inland Revenue, and I am unable at present to express any opinion on the matter.