§ MR. GIBSONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Government have come to any final decision as to the claim of the surgeons of Irish Prisons for additional remuneration for the extra work cast upon them under the Peace Preservation Acts; whether the Irish Prison Surgeons were not promised by the Irish Executive at the time the duties were imposed that they would be suitably remunerated for this extra work; and, whether any offer has been made to the Irish Prison Surgeons on the subject?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the Government have decided that they cannot entertain claims of this character merely on the ground of a temporary increase of work; but the cases of any prison officers who can show that they were put to any extra expense will be specially considered. The right hon. and learned Gentleman is, no doubt, aware that this was the principal ground upon which the claims of the police were entertained. I am not aware that any promise of extra pay was made to the prison surgeons, or that any special 775 offer had been made to them on the subject.
§ MR. GIBSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Dr. Carte, on behalf of the prison surgeons, had an interview with the late Chief Secretary for Ireland (Mr. W. E. Forster), in the presence of Mr. Burke, at which it was promised distinctly that favourable consideration would be given to their claims for extra services under the Peace Preservation Acts; and whether, if on inquiry he finds this to be so, he will have the facts considered?
§ MR. TREVELYANI am not aware of any such interview; but I will make inquiries about it.