§ Mr. WILKIEasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many assistants of Customs and Excise (Customs Department) have reached, by length of service, the salary scale of the grade immediately above them; whether similar conditions prevail in the Excise Department; and whether any steps are to be taken to give the assistants the full status of the grade which their salaries represent?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThere are forty-six Customs assistants who have attained the salary scale of examining officers, second class. There is no Excise assistant in a similar position. The question is under the consideration of the Amalgamation Committee, of which I am chairman.
§ Mr. WILKIEasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many assistants of Customs and Excise (Customs Department) are performing the duties of the grade immediately above them, and how many promotions have been kept back by this system of working the Customs Department?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAssistants are liable to be called upon to act temporarily for the grade above them "during times of emergency or exceptional pressure, or otherwise, as required." The numbers so acting could not be ascertained without collecting special returns from every port in the United Kingdom. No promotions to the grade above are being kept back, as there are no vacancies.