§ MR. CALLANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the Irish Inspectors of Fisheries employed a number of Coastguards on special duty towards the latter end of last year and the begin- 1095 ning of this year; that the men so employed necessarily had to travel in many cases long distances at their own expense; and that, since they furnished their accounts of expenses in the usual manner and with the usual sanction and approval of their officers, they have not been paid the amounts due to them by the Irish Fishery Department; and, if such is the case, will he give the necessary instructions that the said accounts be paid to these poor men forthwith, and state the reasons, if any, why the payment of these accounts, due long since, have been so withheld?
§ MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMANMy attention was first called to this matter by the Question of the hon. Member. I regret to find that there has been delay in settling these claims; but I understand they are now being paid. I have been unable to obtain a satisfactory explanation of the delay, but I have given orders which I hope will prevent its recurrence.