Committee of the Privy Council for trade and plantations 1786-1870: Statistical department

Statistical Department

Superintendent 1834-70

In April 1832 G. R. Porter was engaged by the Board on a temporary basis to arrange and make abstracts from parliamentary returns. (fn. 1) In 1834 he was given an established position as Superintendent of the Statistical Department with a salary of £525 rising by annual increments of £25 to £600. (fn. 2) In 1838 the salary was raised to £800. (fn. 3) In 1840 Porter was appointed Superintendent of the Railway Department with an additional salary of £200 which he retained after his connection with that department ceased in 1845. (fn. 4) Fonblanque was appointed at £800 in 1847 but his salary was raised to £1000 in 1865 when the office of Superintendent was united with that of Comptroller of Corn Returns. (fn. 5)

Junior Clerks 1834-51

In 1834 the clerical establishment of the Statistical Department was fixed at three Junior Clerks. (fn. 6) A fourth such Clerk was appointed in 1838. (fn. 7) In 1842 the number was reduced to three. (fn. 8) In 1851 these were incorporated into the ordinary establishment of the Board. (fn. 9) The salary scale was £90 rising after three years by annual increments of £10 to £300. (fn. 10)

Senior Clerk 1838-51

There was one Senior Clerk in the Statistical Department from 1838 until 1851 when the clerical staff of the department was absorbed into the ordinary establishment of the Board. The salary scale attached to the office was £300 rising by annual increments of £10 to £500. (fn. 11)

Assistants 1842-63

The designation Assistant was introduced into the Statistical Department in 1842. Two Assistants were then appointed. Rawson was given the function of assisting the Superintendent in the general business of the department while Valpy was placed in immediate charge of the new agricultural branch. Rawson was given a salary of £450 rising by annual increments of £10 to £550 while his successor, Oswald, received £350 rising by annual increments of £10 to £500. Valpy's salary was fixed at £250 rising by annual increments of £10 to £400. (fn. 12) Valpy was appointed a Senior Clerk on the ordinary establishment in 1853 and Oswald's office was discontinued in the following year. (fn. 13) However, Valpy was generally known as Assistant in the Statistical Department from 1856 and this title was officially restored to him in 1859. (fn. 14) In 1863 he was appointed to the newly created grade of Assistant. (fn. 15)