§ 70. Viscount WOLMERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his atten- 330 tion has been called to the hardship caused to certain Customs and Excise officers by the amalgamation of the services; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)Various classes in the Customs and Excise service have made representations regarding their position and prospects under amalgamation. I went into the matter personally and received several deputations, and I announced in May last a series of concessions to the staff which covers the various points raised.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Secretary to the Treasury, in regard at any rate to one specific case, has promised reconsideration with a view to showing whether the specific grievance cannot be met?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI think that is being done.
73. Captain CRAIGasked on whose order or by what authority the privilege of promotion to the rank of surveyor of Customs and Excise concurrently with second class and assistant supervisors of Excise and first class examining officers of Customs, indicated in paragraph 162 of the Amalgamation Committee's Report, has been withdrawn from the upper section port clerks of Customs, and on what grounds the findings of the Parliamentary Committee, which in this particular case were arrived at after specially careful consideration, have been so departed from as to confer a benefit upon one class by withdrawing the rights of another; and what is the cause of the delay in promoting the twelve upper section port clerks who qualified for surveyorships over nine months ago, in July, 1912, at an examination held in accordance with the Amalgamation Committee's findings, and when those clerks may expect to receive their long-deferred promotion?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30th January last. The recommendations of the Amalgamation Committee have not been departed from.