§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state when the committee on the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments was appointed, and when it is expected to submit its report?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Committee was appointed on 30th March, 1909. I regret that I am still unable to fix a date for the presentation of the report to the Treasury, but the report is now in a forward state.
Captain O'NEILLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the reply of the Financial Secretary in the House of Commons on 24th March, 1896, and the statement of the Board of Customs in their minute of 1902, to the effect that officers already in the collector line, although they have no exclusive right, have the priority of claims for the higher posts in the collectorate, steps will be taken in fixing the new classification for the amalgamated Customs and Excise service to ensure that this priority of claim shall not be injuriously affected, and that any of the junior collectors who may be considered qualified for promotion but who cannot be at once absorbed in the new collectorate may be allowed to retain their title and be absorbed in the new classes of collectors as vacancies occur?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 11th instant.
Captain O'NEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the matter dealt with in this question and in the question to which he has referred will be brought to the notice of and amply 15 considered by the Amalgamation Committee, over which I believe the right hon. Gentleman presides?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI cannot say from recollection whether we have had the matter before us, but I think we have. If so, it will be dealt with in the Report.