§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary to the Treasury why it is proposed to merge the grades of departmental higher clerical officer and indoor officer in the Civil Service; and how this will affect promotion opportunities for Customs and Excise staff.
§ Mr. GreenThe grades of departmental higher clerical officer and indoor officer in the Customs have been merged as from 1st January, 1964, in order to increase departmental efficiency by making possible greater flexibility of staffing and to widen the experience of staff under consideration for promotion to more senior posts. The promotion opportunities of the staff will not be adversely affected as the merger will not reduce the number of higher posts open to the basic grade.