§ 33. Mr. GUYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why it has been considered necessary to reduce the Edinburgh Customs and Excise col- 354 lection from the status of a higher collectorship to a first-class collectorship?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe incidence of work in the Customs and Excise Department is continually under review, and after careful consideration of the volume and nature of the Customs and Excise work in certain collections, it has been decided that a higher collectorship is not justified in Edinburgh collection under existing conditions. I would point out, however, that the substitution of a first-class collectorship for a higher collectorship will not affect the facilities afforded to the public for the conduct of business with the Customs and Excise Department.
§ Mr. GUYIs my hon. Friend aware of the fact that at present there are only two higher collectorships for the whole of Scotland, and does he not agree that it is right and proper that one of these should be in Edinburgh?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAMy hon. Friend has been in correspondence with me on the subject. Perhaps he will allow me to write to him persoNaily.