HC Deb 10 July 1873 vol 217 cc149-50
MR. PLUNKET

asked the First Lord of the Treasury. Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to give effect to the Resolution adopted by this House on Friday last with reference to the case of the Civil Servants of the Crown serving in Ireland?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, I said a few words on this subject on Monday last, but, as it was at the close of some observations in regard to the Order of Business, it is quite possible that the words did not attract the attention of the House. I will repeat them as reported, because they express accurately what I said on the part of the Government— I have to state, with reference to the vote of the House on Friday night upon the salaries of the Civil Service in Ireland that, in redemption of the pledge we gave, it is our intention to appoint a Departmental Committee, which will examine into the position, emoluments, and conditions of service of the Civil Service in Ireland, and will go through such of the different establishments as may apply for examination into their cases."—[3 Hansard, ccxvi. 1859–60.]

MR. PLUNKET

said, the reason why he put the Question was, because it appeared from what the right hon. Gentleman said that the Departmental Com- mittee was to be appointed "in redemption of the pledge given" by the right hon. Gentleman at the time he was resisting the Resolution afterwards adopted by the House. He wished to ask, whether it was with a view to carry out the intention of the House that the Departmental Committee was to be appointed; and, if so, whether it would be exclusively composed of Treasury officials?

MR. GLADSTONE

The Committee to be appointed will be composed of official persons. I do not know that it is decided that they are to consist of Treasury officials. That is the only measure we can take in conformity with the Resolution of the House. Whether it satisfies that Resolution or not is, of course, a matter which asks for the free judgment of the hon. and learned Gentleman. I was not the author of the Resolution, and I am under no responsibility to interpret it.