§ 52. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the cost of the Civil Service and of the redundancy of certain Departmental staffs, he will arrange to have all extra posts which may be created, either in the Customs and Excise or in the Revenue Department, filled by serving civil servant's and not by outside entrants?
§ Major ELLIOTCivil servants who become redundant in one Department are, wherever practicable, transferred to fill vacancies in their grade in another. A considerable number of transfers to the Department of Customs and Excise have recently been arranged. It is not, however, practicable to provide for the more specialised needs of that Department without recourse to the normal methods of recruitment. I am not aware of any proposal to create extra established posts in the Department of Inland Revenue.
§ Mr. SMITHIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many of these experienced valuers engaged on the valuation of land might well have suitable experience for checking the values of imported goods?
§ Major ELLIOTWherever practicable civil servants are transferred to fill vacancies in other Departments.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs it proposed to make any further transfers of redundants from the Post Office?
§ Major ELLIOTI am afraid I should need notice of that question.