§ MR. REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he proposes to take any step to put an end to the payment of five hundred pounds annually out of the Irish Fines Fund to the Consolidated Fund, the office on account of which such payment was formerly made having been abolished so long since as the year 1850; and, whether he is aware that no provision exists for superannuation or retiring allowance for the Registrar of Petty Sessions Clerks in Ireland and the officers in his department; and, if it is the intention of the Government to make any provision for that object?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH,in reply, said, he had made it his duty to make a communication to the Treasury on the subject, but he was sorry to say they had not consented to give up the annual payment. He hoped, however, to prevail on them to do so, and should be glad if he succeeded. With regard to retiring allowances for the officers in the department, the Treasury could hardly be expected to provide them, as 1151 the hon. Gentleman must be aware that the department was sustained entirely by the Foes Fund, not by payments from the Exchequer.