§ SIR GEORGE BOWYERsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he intends introducing any measure this Session for the improvement of the retiring allowances of prison officers?
§ SIR ROBERT PEELsaid, that the prison officers alluded to in the hon. and learned Baronet's question were at present placed under the Act of 1834, which was 333 not so favourable as the subsequent Act of [1859, under which they consequently desired to be placed. It was not the intention of the Government, so far as he was advised, to introduce any Bill for the purpose of improving the condition of prison officers, who Were in a very different condition from that of the officers alluded to by the hon. Member for Waterford (Mr Blake). He would add that no representation had been received by the Government from the Grand Juries of counties urging an increase of the retiring allowances to these officers, and as any such increase would have to be paid out of the local rates, and not out of Imperial funds, he did not think it desirable that the Government should take the initiative in this: matter.