Extra and Supplementary Clerks 1777-1870

Extraordinary or Extra Clerks appear to have been introduced into the Treasury in 1777. (fn. 1) They differed from Supernumerary Clerks in that they were employed on a temporary basis and had no claim to be placed on the establishment. However, while their tenure was formally precarious they seem soon to have acquired a position comparable to that of other Clerks. From 1783 they were appointed by Treasury minute and were in several cases subsequently placed on the establishment. In 1794 they were being paid at the rate of 5s a day. In 1801 this amount was raised to 6s a day. (fn. 2) From time to time they were given particular responsibilities, especially in connection with bills of exchange, for which they received additional allowances.

In 1805 the status of the Extra Clerks was redefined. It was provided that they should be employed on a strictly temporary basis and they were denied the prospect of being placed on the establishment. (fn. 3) Between 1805 and 1832 it is impossible always to be certain of their identity or periods of service since their appointments were not recorded in the minutes and they were paid out of the incidents for which the accounts are incomplete. Between 1820 and 1830 there appear to have been about a dozen Extra Clerks, the majority of whom were paid at the rate of 7s a day. (fn. 4) In 1829 a progressive scale was introduced beginning at 6s a day and rising after ten years to 10s a day. (fn. 5) Some Extra Clerks were given fixed annual salaries and attached permanently to particular departments such as those of the Registry, the Parliamentary Accounts, the Revenue and, later, the Law Clerk.

From about 1830 a distinction can be discerned between 'temporary' and 'permanent' Extra Clerks. The former, who were employed only when the requirements of business made it necessary, never formed part of the staff of the office and are excluded from these lists. The latter, however, were appointed by Treasury minute from 1832 and enjoyed security of tenure. (fn. 6) In 1847 the scale of daily payments for these Clerks was extended to provide sixteen shillings a day after fifty years' service. (fn. 7) By 1855 the permanent Extra Clerks were generally known as 'Supplementary Clerks'. In the same year it was provided that the previous system whereby some Clerks were paid at a daily rate and some by means of fixed annual salaries should be discontinued and a uniform progressive scale introduced for future appointments. This began at £120 rising by annual increments of £5 to £180. In cases of good conduct it was to be extended from £180 to £300 by annual increments of £10. (fn. 8)

In 1861 a reorganisation took place. The Supplementary Clerks were consolidated into a unified structure, divided into three classes. The first class, numbering four, consisted of the Assistant Clerk of Parliamentary Accounts, the Assistant Accountant and the Assistant Superintendents of the Registry and Copying Departments. These were accorded a salary scale beginning at £400 rising by annual increments of £15 to £500. The second class, numbering five, began at £250 rising by annual increments of £10 to £350. Provision was made for the number of Clerks in the third class to vary in accordance with the weight of business. In the first instance it consisted of seven. Their salary scale began at £100 rising by annual increments of £10 to £200. (fn. 9) In 1868 two Supplementary Audit Clerks were appointed and attached to the Finance Division with salaries beginning at £220 rising by annual increments of £10 to £400. (fn. 10)

In 1869 the Supplementary Clerks were again reorganised and divided into two branches. The first, which was concerned with accounts, consisted of two Staff Officers (the Assistant Accountant and the Senior Clerk of the Civil List), one First Class, three Second Class and a varying number of Third Class Clerks. The second branch, which was attached to the Registry and Copying Departments, consisted of three First Class, four Second Class and a varying number of Third Class Clerks. (fn. 11)

LISTS OF APPOINTMENTS

Extra Clerks

LISTS OF APPOINTMENTS

First Class Supplementary Clerks

Second Class Supplementary Clerks

Third Class Supplementary Clerks

Supplementary Audit Clerks

Footnotes