§ Mr. ALDENasked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of abstractors in the Statistical Department of His Majesty's Customs and Excise eligible by service for the £10 special increment; and, in view of the fact that it was stated on the 25th of October, 1909, in reply to a question, that these increments were given for length of service combined with efficiency, if, and when, it is proposed to make any further assignments?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe answer to the first part of the question is seventeen, of whom six have already been given the increment in question. It is not proposed to make any further assignments in the Statistical Department at present. As the hon. Member was informed on the 13th February last, these special increments are intended as a reward for special merit, and are not given automatically to those who have served the prescribed period.