§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether every Customs port clerk has had reserved to him his present right to overtime pay for all attendance in excess of seven hours per day, in the same manner as such right has been reserved to port clerks serving in the Accountant and Comptroller-General's and Secretaries' offices of the amalgamated Customs and Excise Department; and whether every port clerk whose efficiency has been certified by his superiors as hitherto, whether serving in those offices or outside, has had reserved to him the right of rising to a salary of £400 without undergoing any further examination?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first part of this question is in the 2677W negative. In reply to the second part, I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 8th instant to his previous question on this subject. The examination referred to will not be introduced for some years, and I see no reason for the implied suggestion that the adoption of a pass examination, as recommended by the Committee, in lieu of certificates of efficiency from superior officers, will exclude any efficient clerk.