Captain CLAYasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many assistant clerks are engaged on entering the particulars of free goods into the primary registers from documents received at the Customs statistical office; how many checkers are engaged on checking these entries into the primary registers; how many hours each day do the checkers give to this work; and what proportion of the entries is checked?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe number of assistant clerks engaged in entering the particulars of free goods into the primary registers is approximately seventy-four, and ten checkers are engaged in checking these entries. The services of these checkers are available for other work, and at times of pressure they are utilised for entering as well as checking. The number of hours given daily to checking, or the proportion of entries checked, cannot be stated, as they vary with the volume of the work.
§ Mr. FIELDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the average annual salary of the five second division 975W clerks performing the duties of assistant clerks in the Customs Statistical Office; whether the initial salary of a second division clerk is £70 per annum, and that of an assistant clerk £45 per annum; and whether, in view of the fact that two examinations for assistant clerks have been held since these second division clerks were appointed to the Statistical Office, he will state why assistant clerks have not been placed temporarily on these duties pending the settlement of certain questions affecting the business of the office, having regard to the saving involved?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe present average annual salary of the five temporary Second Division clerks referred to is £70 per annum. The initial salaries of a Second Division clerk and an assistant clerk are £70 and £45 respectively, as stated. The employment of these Second Division clerks for temporary service, under Clause 40 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, was the most convenient course in the circumstances. There is no machinery for the employment of assistant clerks for temporary service in such a case as this.