§ Mr. NIELDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, owing to the representations and protests made by them, the surveyors of Customs and Excise, late Customs first-class examining officers, who were recently appointed to Excise districts have been removed therefrom and reappointed to Customs districts; whether such re-appointments were unavoidable; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among officers, late of Excise, at the loss by them of prospects of promotion which, under the amalgamation, have benefited ex-Customs officials only; and (2) whether, in view of the circumstances necessitating the re-appointment of Customs officials, he will say whether the amalgamation of the staffs existent before the date of the Amalgamation Act is impracticable; and will he, therefore, abandon that course and take steps to ensure that officials, late of Excise, who are suffering present loss through delay in promotion are at once suitably and adequately compensated therefor, and that the prospects which they previously enjoyed are restored to them, and remain in the future unimpaired?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGETwo unattached surveyors of Customs origin who were recently appointed to inland districts with Excise work were, at their own request, re-appointed to port districts with Customs. work which happened to be vacant at the time. The hon. Member can hardly intend to imply that this incident shows amalgamation to be impracticable, and I do not think he can be serious in suggesting a reversion to pre-amalgamation conditions of prospects, which of course would involve a reversion to the former rates of pay. As regards the prospects of officers of Excise origin I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question put to me by the hon. Member for Islington (North) on the 16th ultimo on the subject.