§ Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are more than 160 officers of Customs and Excise recently appointed to stations at a salary of less than £2 per week; and whether, in view of the nature of the work performed, he will consider the advisability of granting these officers a higher salary?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The scale of salary starts at £80 on an officer's first entrance to the service, and progresses by annual increments to £300. During their early years of service officers are temporarily employed as reliefs or assistants in stations, and are permanently appointed to vacant stations in their turn, which may arrive earlier or later in a man's service, according to circumstances. I see no reason to revise the scale of salary, which was fixed after careful consideration in 1911 and 1912.