§ Sir HENRY KIMBERasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Customs Port Clerks have hitherto proceeded to the highest appointments 42 in the Customs service without further examination, and that the number of appointments with a minimum salary in excess of £300 per annum now held by Customs Port Clerks who have so proceeded is approximately 40.3 per cent. of those below, even excluding the appointments in the Secretaries' and Accountant and Comptroller-General's Offices, while the corresponding percentages for the Customs outdoor department, Excise clerks, and Excise outdoor department are 7 per cent., 15.3 per cent., and 8.2 per cent, respectively; whether, in the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise services, provision will be made to preserve to Customs Port Clerks this same relative superiority; and whether the percentages for the Customs Port Clerks and the Customs outdoor, if collectorships be left out of the calculation in each case, are 31.1 per cent. and 6.8 per cent., respectively.
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThis matter is under the consideration of the Amalgamation Committee, and I am unable to make any statement in advance of their report.