§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1), when he proposes to introduce the Bill for the Amalgamation of Unions in Ireland; (2) does he propose to take the Bill during the ordinary business hours of the House or after 12 o'clock at night; and (3), would the clauses of the Superannuation of Poor Law Officers Bill, if applied to Ireland, be made dependent upon or independent of the passing of the Amalgamation of Unions Bill?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURAs to the first and second paragraphs, I have nothing to add to the reply given by me on Tuesday last to the question of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division, Dublin—namely, that the Bill is nearly ready, but that, in view of the 1071 condition of the business in the House, unless I am allowed to introduce the Measure after 12 o'clock, it probably could not be introduced this Session. The Bill would appear to be one proper for discussion in the Grand Committee on Law. As to the third paragraph, the Union Officers Act of 1885 deals with the superannuation of Poor Law officers on abolition of office by amalgamation of unions. The Poor Law Officers' Superannuation Bill now before Parliament if made applicable to Ireland, would not be affected in any way by the passage into law of the Poor Relief Bill.