§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Government Veterinary Inspectors in Ireland are on a much inferior footing with regard to pay, privileges, and allowances, to officials on the corresponding English Staff; whether it is a fact that Irish Veterinary Inspectors are liable to dismissal (without reason being assigned) at a week's notice, and without retiring allowance or compensation, even should they become incapacitated from the effects of accident occurring or sickness contracted whilst in the discharge of their duties; whether it is a fact that their monthly pay is issued most irregularly, sometimes ten days after it is due, instead of the first of every month, as is the case with other officials; and, whether, under the circumstances stated, the Government will make such improvements in the pay, pensions, and status of these officers as will assimilate them to their English brethren?
§ MR. TREVELYANI believe, Sir, that it is the case that Government Veterinary Inspectors in Ireland receive an inferior scale of salaries and allowances to those in England. It is a mistake to suppose that they are liable to dismissal, without reason being assigned, at a week's notice. If the services of any of them should be no longer required, he may be discharged on re- 1528 ceiving a week's notice, and is not entitled to a gratuity or superannuation. No case has occurred, so far as I can ascertain, of an Inspector having been dismissed on account of his having become incapacitated from the effects of accident occurring or sickness contracted while in the discharge of duty. With regard to the issue of their monthly pay, I find that it is almost invariably issued within the first week of each month. The salary lists have to pass through three Departments, and some slight irregularity consequently arises. I will see whether this cannot be remedied. The scale of salaries was fixed in 1878. No objection was raised to it at the time, and I do not think it now requires revision.