§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONasked whether, in view of the fact that the Appropriation Accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1910, show a considerable saving in the amount provided in the Estimates of that year for salaries of the Customs, landing, and warehousing staff, and that the numbers of the staff now actually in that department are much below the numbers given in the Estimates for 1911–12, it is expected to show a similar saving in the amount appropriated for salaries in the next financial year; and whether it was intended to apply any portion of the amount saved by the reductions in staff to the concession of an improved salary scheme for the outdoor service?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am unable to make any statement on this subject in advance of the report of the Committee on the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Services.