§ Mr. THURTLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that close upon a million hours overtime were performed by the established and temporary staff in the taxes branch of the Inland Revenue Deportment for the year ended 31st December, 1925, any steps are being taken to augment the clerical staff of this Department; and what steps are being taken to safeguard the efficiency of the taxes branch, having regard to the discharges of experienced staff which are taking place at the present moment?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The position with regard to overtime is more favourable in the present year than in 1925. I am confident that the efficiency of the taxes branch is in no degree threatened. The staff already discharged or warned for discharge are a comparatively small number of temporary clerks who either failed to qualify, or did not sit in the recent examination. Their places are being taken by successful candidates.