§ MR. W. A. MACDONALDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Local Government Board have fixed the remuneration of clerks of Unions for duties performed under the Franchise Acts at £1 for each 100 ratings up to 10,000, and at 10s. for each 100 such ratings over 10,000, together with a sum of 10s. 6d. for each day of their attendance at the Revision Courts, while the remuneration of the poor rate collectors has been fixed at 15s. for each 100 ratings, together with a sum of 7s. 6d. for each day of their attendance at the Revision Courts; whether the duties for which this remuneration is given to clerks of Unions are heavier than those discharged by the poor rate collectors; whether the duties of the latter are at least equally arduous; and whether he can say why this distinction is made between the two classes of officers?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe facts are as stated in the first paragraph of the question. The collectors of poor rate act as assistants to clerks of Unions in carrying into effect the duties referred to. Having regard to both the nature and extent of the duties discharged by clerks and collectors respectively, the Local Government Board consider that the former are entitled to be remunerated at a higher rate of payment than the latter, and they framed their order accordingly.