Mr. CREECH JONESasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware of the disquiet which has been 1544W aroused among the controlling grades of the Customs and Excise Department by the action of the Board in promoting to the post of deputy chief inspector an officer of nearly 60 years of age over the heads not only of a number of his seniors in his late rank but also of the whole of the rank immediately above, although this officer had himself been passed over recently by one of his juniors for promotion to the grade above; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the reasons for this action?
§ Mr. W. S. MORRISONI am aware that representations have been received by the Customs and Excise Controlling Grade Association on the subject of the promotion to which the hon. Member refers. I am advised that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise fully considered the qualifications of the more senior officials before making the appointment and I am not prepared to institute an inquiry into the matter. I may add that it is not the case, except in a technical sense, that the officer in question was recently passed over for promotion by a junior. The question of filling the two posts was under consideration at the same time, but whereas that to which the junior was appointed was already vacant, the post of Deputy Chief Inspector did not become vacant until a few days after.