§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Departmental Committee upon which the Treasury is represented, appointed in 1886 to inquire into the complaints of the clerks in Her Majesty's prisons, is still sitting; and, if they have concluded their labours, whether he will inform the House of the result of their inquiry?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT(Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.This Committee has not yet finally reported, its recommendations having been held in suspense, pending the appeal made by the prison clerks to the Royal Commission on Civil Service Establishments for a special investigation of their cause. It was not thought desirable to anticipate any recommendations which might be made by the Royal Commissioners. However, as no special reference has been made by the Royal Commission to the case of the prison clerks, the Committee are now prepared to complete their recommendations, and will shortly issue their Report.