§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Excise clerks would at the present time have been second-class principal clerks but for the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise services; what loss of salary each of these clerks is now suffering; what would be the cost to the State per annum to restore them to the financial position which they have lost owing to the amalgamation; and whether there is any diminution in the importance of the work performed by the general body of Excise clerks or the revenue passing through their hands since the amalgamation?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI regret that I am unable to enter into any calculation as to promotions which might have been made if amalgamation had not taken place. So far as I am aware, there has been no diminution in the importance of the work performed by the officers referred to. Under the old system the highest salary which any of these officers could have reached 1845W was £400. Under the amalgamation scheme they have the option either of competing for promotion to posts in the new service, carrying them beyond £400, or of progressing to £400, without promotion.