§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what stops the Government intend to take with reference to the increases in the salaries of certain county council officials in Ireland made by the Irish Local Government Board, and which several Irish county councils have refused to pay on the grounds that the salaries as increased are too high and that the views of the county councils in relation to these increases have not been properly consulted by the Local Government Board; and will he also say what steps are to be taken with reference to the qualifications for deputy county surveyor, fixed by the Local Government Board, to which exception has been taken.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURIn every case where the county council decline to pay their existing officers the amount of the allowance determined by the Local Government Board under Section 115, Sub-section 18, of the Act of 1898 for their increased work under the Act, the Board intend to make special Orders under seal in order to enable these officers to recover in a court of law the sums to which they are entitled under the provisions of the Act referred to. It is quite incorrect to say that the councils were not consulted with reference to these increases, and this assertion is chiefly put forward by certain councils who took no steps to come to an agree-merit with their officers on receipt of the Board's letters inviting their views. I may observe that the salaries for new assistant surveyors which have been fixed by the councils themselves since the passing of the Act have, in many cases, been equal to the scale fixed by the Board. The qualifications fixed for assistant surveyors have, I understand, been generally approved of. So far only one objection has been received. One examination has been held, at which nine elected assistant surveyors were examined, with the result that seven were certified to possess the prescribed qualifications and two were rejected.
§ MR. FLYNNIn case of any difference of opinion with regard to salaries between a county council and the Irish Local Government Board, has the latter an absolute right to fix the salary?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURIt is not merely a right. The duty is imposed on them.
§ MR. FLAVINCan they fix any salary they please?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThis matter was discussed for several hours on the Vote for the Local Government Board, and I really cannot re-open it.
§ MR. DILLONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board have addressed a letter to the South Tipperary County Council stating that they had received a letter from Mr. Higgins, solicitor for Mr. Haskett, the late surveyor of South Tipperary, stating 964 that his client had been obliged to take proceedings against the council for the balance of his salary, at the rate of £800 a year, and that, to enable Mr. Haskett to succeed in his action they (the Local Government Board) had issued a special sealed Order; and will he state who fixed Mr. Haskett's salary at £800 a year; was this salary approved of by the council; and what is the nature of the special sealed Order issued in support of Mr. Haskett's action.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURMr. Haskett is still the county surveyor. The county council proposed to grant Mr. Haskett an addition of £100 a year to his salary of £600, in respect of his increase of duties. The county surveyor, not agreeing to this proposal, appealed under Section 115, Sub-section 18, of the Act of 1898 to the Local Government Board to determine the increase to be allowed to him, claiming an addition of £450 a year to his salary. After careful consideration of the additional duties to be performed by him, and of the proposal of the county council, the Board decided that the county surveyor was entitled to an addition of £200 a year to his salary, making a total salary of £800 a year, and they informed the council accordingly. The council, however, declined to pay more than the sum proposed by them, namely, £700 a year, and the county surveyor applied to the Board, through his solicitor, for an Order under seal to enable him to recover the amount due to him according to the Board's decision, and the Board have complied with his request.
§ MR. DILLONWhat was the nature of the special sealed Order? Will the right hon. Gentleman lay a copy of it on the Table?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURI do not know that there is any objection to doing it. It is a simple Order fixing the salary.