§ Mr. GOLDSTONEasked whether, in view of the relative inequality of financial recognition of a large number of officials that would attend the carrying out of the proposals of the Hobhouse Committee re the adjustment of salaries of existing officers as set forth in paragraph 171 of the Report, the Treasury is prepared to give effect to the suggestion of the Board of Customs and Excise, as contained in paragraph 41 of the Report, so as to bring the salaries of the men having thirteen or more years' service on an equality with the salaries proposed in the new service scale for new appointments and for men of less than thirteen years' service, and so prevent the relative loss to men of thirteen to twenty years' service of amounts varying from £10 to £20 per annum?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThis matter was fully considered by the Committee, whose recommendation was intended to remedy, to some extent, the existing inequalities in salaries. The arrangements under which the new scale of salary is being applied are of great benefit to the officers as a whole, and I see no reason for altering them in the manner suggested.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the inequitable conditions that would arise to the older servants of Customs and Excise if paragraph 171 were put into operation in its present form?