HC Deb 22 January 1913 vol 47 cc407-8
39. Mr. HUNT

asked how many officers of Customs and Excise, formerly officers of Inland Revenue, who entered the service in 1896, are in receipt of salaries less than those paid to their juniors who entered the service in 1898?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

None.

40. Mr. HUNT

asked whether the Customs and Excise services, which on 1st April, 1909, were placed under one Board of Commissioners, namely, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, with a view to amalgamation, are yet amalgamated; and what number of officers, formerly Inland Revenue officers, have since the date they were transferred from the Inland Revenue Department been employed in the Customs branch of the service?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The amalgamation of the Customs and Excise services is proceeding, but the process is necessarily a gradual one. About ninety ex-Excise officers have since the date of the amalgamation been employed on duties which formerly fell to the Customs service.

Mr. HUNT

Could the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the slow progress and difficulty of the amalgamation, see his way to abandon it and to work the service as formerly in two branches?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not think it would be desirable at all.