6. Mr. LLEWELYN WILLIAMSasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that some of the present officers of Customs and Excise, who are also the second officers at ports, were, previously to April, 1911, receiving an allowance of £20 for increased responsibility attached to the position; if that allowance, which was in the nature of a vested interest, 1025 permanent and pensionable, and which has always been regarded by the second officers as a fixed emolument over and above their salary, has been discontinued, although the duties performed by the officers remain the same; and if a reply to the Petition forwarded to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise in March, 1912, asking for a retention of this allowance, may soon be expected?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)The special duties which these officers performed as second officers at certain ports and for which an allowance of £20 was granted in addition to their old scale of salary, are included in the general duties of the new grade of officer of Customs and Excise, and the allowances were abolished when the superior scale of salary applicable to the latter grade was introduced. The amount of the allowance, however, was merged in the salary of each of the holders when he was placed on the new scale. The request in the Petition referred to cannot be entertained.