§ MR. PATRICK JOSEPH O'BRIEN () Tipperary, N.asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland when the Government mean to bring in the Bill, as promised last Session, to provide for the service of clerks of unions and poor rate collectors in Ireland under the Franchise Act?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension in supposing that a promise had been made to introduce a Bill to meet the cases of the Poor Law officials where they are at present insufficiently remunerated for their duties in question. I am, however, quite ready to introduce a Bill on the subject, if assured that it will meet with the general assent of the House.
§ MR. P. O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Colonel King Harman stated last year that the question had for some time occupied the attention of the Government and that a Bill would be brought in on an early date?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware that the introduction of a Bill was promised. But it is the case that the matter has engaged the attention of the 43 Government. A Bill has been actually drafted; but there would be no use in introducing it unless with the general assent of all parties.