§ Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that, in the opinion of the medical officer to the Board of Customs and Excise, the conditions under which assistant clerks are employed in the Statistical Office are considered satisfactory, he will state the reason attributed for the contraction of phthisis or other tuberculous disease by five assistant clerks in that office; the average salaries received; and the average number of years served by these five assistant clerks?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe medical certificates furnished by the five assistant clerks in question do not state in what manner the tuberculosis disease was contracted. The service period ranges from two years seven months to eleven years five months, and the salaries from £65 to £113 10s.
Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOWasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of former Excise districts and collections actually vacant, and the number of officials of Excise origin now eligible to be appointed to the permanent charge of such districts and collections; how long the officials in question have served in their respective 1197W grades; and whether the former practice of appointing Excise supervisors and collectors to fixed positions in strict order of their seniority in their respective grades will be maintained in the future?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe number of vacancies is continually changing. At the present moment eighteen districts and seven collections which were formerly Excise are technically vacant, but are filled by temporary appointments in the usual course. It is not possible to state the number of officials of Excise origin who would be considered eligible for permanent appointment to these posts. In selecting officials for such appointments consideration is given to all the circumstances of the case. No right to appointment in strict order of seniority has ever been recognised.