§ MR. LEWISI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, having regard to the great extra labour thrown on the sub-sheriffs of Irish counties by the frequency of Parliamentary Returns called for from them, the Government is prepared to grant them a reasonable compensation for such work, which does not 353 fall within the ordinary scope of their duties?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, that hitherto the duty of preparing Returns connected with the Irish Land Question had fallen very much more upon the Constabulary and Clerks of the Crown than upon the sub-sheriffs, and the hon. Member was aware they would not be able to give compensation without bringing a special Vote in the Estimates for the purpose. Besides, public officers were expected to furnish information without receiving compensation for doing so.