§ COLONEL COLTHURSTasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of the Government to carry into effect the recommendations (which have now been before them for twelve months) of Lord Crichton's Committee of Inquiry into the Board of Works in Ireland, as regards the salaries of the staff; and, whether there is any reason for delaying further the decision on that part of the Report which deals with the special cases of hardship in the office establishment directed to be inquired into by Colonel Stanley's letter of the 7th January 1878?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONSir, the Treasury had hoped to be able to deal with the cases referred to before now; but on considering the main questions dealt with by the Committee, it appeared that they involved a consideration of certain of the duties of the Local Government Board, and of the relation of that Department to the Board of Works. It is thought that a better distribution of duties may be made between the two than that which now exists; but it has not been possible during the Session to give sufficient time to the subject to arrange details of the scheme, and it is intended to postpone further action till the autumn. Meanwhile, with such a scheme in contemplation, it is not a favourable moment for re-adjusting the salaries of an establishment which may be seriously affected by it.