HC Deb 21 May 1912 vol 38 cc1872-3W
Mr. BRADY

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what number of Customs port clerks, second class, upper section, were were promoted to the rank of first-class clerk during the decade 1900–9; and what number during that period were passed over by the Board of Customs as unfitted for promotion to the rank of first class clerk?

Mr. MASTERMAN

Seventy-four upper section clerks were promoted to first-class clerkships in the general port services in the decade 1900–9; and fifteen men were passed over as unfitted for such promotion during the same period.

Mr. BRADY

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 3rd instant, to the deputation of Customs port clerks, that collectors' offices will continue to be staffed on the basis of a normal seven-hour day with overtime pay for attendance in excess of forty-eight hours per week, any increase of expenditure will be incurred if all second-class Customs port clerks are permitted to forego the annual allowance of £3 proffered them by the Hobhouse Report and to continue to enjoy their old rates of overtime pay for all attendance in excess of seven hours per day?

Mr. MASTERMAN

It is not possible to forecast the effect on expenditure of the hypothetical arrangement suggested in the question.