HC Deb 29 March 1898 vol 55 cc1236-7
MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, under the provisions of the Local Government Bill as at present drafted, it is contemplated to hand over two sets of collectors to the county council, whereas the general principle of the Bill is that the work shall be done by one set only; and is it contemplated to compel county councils to superannuate those whose appointments were only from one assize to another?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

There are at present two sets of collectors, namely, Barony High Constables, who collect the cess, and are employed by the Grand Jury; and Poor Rate Collectors, who are employed by Boards of Guardians. Under the Bill the whole work of collection will be transferred to county councils, and those officers, whether Barony High Constables or Poor Rate Collectors, whose services are dispensed with in consequence, will be entitled, under the Bill, to compensation. As the Bill stands at present, compensation to those officers whose appointments were only from one Assize to another will be by gratuity, and not by pension.