§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that the Boards of Guardians of several Unions in Ireland have declined to provide any remuneration out of the rates for the compulsory services rendered by Clerks of Unions and Poor Rate Collectors under the Franchise Act of 1884, on the grounds that such remuneration should be provided from Imperial funds; and, if so, whether, under these circumstances, he will consider the justice and propriety of making provision in the Estimates for the payment to these public servants in respect of the duties in question, which they are called on, under penalty, to discharge?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: The question of the remuneration of Poor Law officials in Ireland for their services under the Franchise Act has been for some time engaging the attention of the Government, and the Government intend at an early date to take steps in the matter. They cannot hope, 875 however, to undertake to ask Parliament to sanction remuneration to these officials as an extra charge on the Imperial funds.