HC Deb 07 November 1882 vol 274 cc954-5
MR. HEALY

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If it is the intention of Government to take advantage of the vacancy now existing in the post of Under Secretary of State for Ireland, to commence the long-promised reform of the Castle Administration of Ireland, by appointing to the said post some gentleman who, by sympathy and religious opinions, is likely to command, in some degree, the confidence of the people over whom he exercises such extensive authority?

MR. GLADSTONE

There is no vacancy now existing in the post of Under Secretary of State for Ireland. The hon. Member appears to have put this Question upon imperfect information as to the facts. It will be the duty of Earl Spencer and the Irish Government to consider the matter of filling the vacancy when it does arise; and that is an important duty, which, no doubt, will be performed with the greatest care.

MR. HEALY

The right hon. Gentleman states that there is no vacancy. May I ask who has been appointed in Mr. Burke's place?

MR. GLADSTONE

Mr. Hamilton has been appointed.

MR. HEALY

I should like to ask whether Mr. Hamilton's appointment is permanent, or whether he intends to leave it at the end of the year; or, if not, whether the office he occupied at the Admiralty has been filled up; and, also, whether he receives the same salary as Mr. Burke, and discharges the same duties?

MR. TREVELYAN

I think I am correct in saying that Mr. Hamilton was appointed in the usual manner. His place in the Admiralty has not been filled up; but his duty has been discharged in that Department by another official. The salary, I am sorry to say, is the same in both cases, so that Mr. Hamilton has been put to a very considerable and severe pecuniary loss, which, however, to him is amply compensated for by the knowledge that he is serving the country. With regard to the appointment being temporary, the hon. Member must draw his own conclusion from the fact that the Accountant Generalship to the Admiralty has not been filled up. I should be sorry to give a definite answer before conferring with Mr. Hamilton. I hope I have answered all the hon. Member's Questions.

MR. HEALY

I only wish to say that my Questions were not directed against Mr. Hamilton by any means.