§ MR. STACPOOLEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the practice adopted by certain Boards of Guardians and Governors of Lunatic Asylums in Ireland, in cases where officers seek an increase of salary, of compelling the officers to resign and take their chance of re-election before such application can be considered; and, whether, if he considers this method of dealing with such applications an improper one, he would be prepared to recommend its discontinuance.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHMy attention was first called to this matter by the Notice of the hon. Member's Question. I have not been able to ascertain that any practice prevails among Boards of Guardians and governors of lunatic asylums of compelling their officers to resign before considering any applications for increase of salary; but I am informed that the Board of Guardians and the governors of the lunatic asylum at Ennis adopted such a practice more than two years ago. The Local Government Board at that time informed the Board of Guardians that they objected to their action on the subject; but I do not find that the Inspectors of lunatic asylums made any communication to the Board of Guardians. The practice seems to me open to objection; but the hon. Member is himself a governor of the lunatic asylum, and can move that it should be discontinued, if he thinks fit to do so.
§ MR. STACPOOLEIs there any regulation of the Irish Privy Council under which this has been carried out?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHNo; I believe not.