§ MR. MURNAGHAN (Tyrone, Mid)I lug to ask the Chief Secretary to the 1587 Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Poor Law Officers' Association in Ireland have circulated amongst Members of this House a document containing the statement that the contributions proposed in the Poor Law Superannuation (Ireland) Bill will establish a fund sufficient to superannuate union official, sthereby relieving the rate-pavers of all cost in the matter; that the correctness of such statement is denied, and the assertion made that the passage of the Bill would increase the rates; will he obtain expert opinion in respect to the financial proposals of the Bill, and give, Members of Parliament from Ireland an opportunity to know approximately before the Bill comes on for Second Heading its probable effect on local rates: and inasmuch as the matter is of interest to the administrators of the poor law system, he will ask the Local Government Board to invite the opinion of boards of guardians throughout Ireland in respect to the proposals of the Poor Law Superannuation (Ireland) Bill.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt is impossible to estimate the effect of the, Bill on local rates, since I cannot judge how far existing officers would be likely to take advantage of its provisions. I see no objection to inviting the opinions of Boards of Guardians on the provisions of the Bill.
§ MR. MURNAGHANWill the right hon. Gentleman give directions for obtaining those opinions?
§ MR. WYNDHAMYes.