§ Mr. EDWARD STRAUSSasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Customs Watchers are among the worst paid of Civil servants; and, seeing that these men receive only 24s. per week for carrying out important duties, will he deal with the matter as he has repeatedly promised to do during the last two and a-half years?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)I regret that I cannot undertake to deal with this question pending the issue of the Report of the Committee on the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments.
§ Mr. C. DUNCANWhen are we likely to have the Report issued?
§ Mr. EDWARD STRAUSSasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he has yet arrived at any decision as to the increase of the rate of overtime paid to Customs Watchers in reference to which matter he gave a promise to a deputation on 1st December, 1908, that it should have his earnest consideration; and if he is aware that overtime is worked for the convenience of firms importing goods, and that in practice the overtime is paid by those firms, and that this act of justice to a useful body of public servants could be carried out practically without cost to the Treasury?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Rotherhithe on the 25th April, 1910.