§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, since it appears that out of a sum of £1,237 odd paid from the Endowment Fund since April 1st, 1900, to officers serving in the Irish Agricultural Department, £1,067 approximately was paid to Protestants and about £170 to Catholics, he can explain the excess in payments to officials of the former as compared with those of the latter religious denomination.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe hon. Member has been repeatedly informed that the question of religion is not taken into account in decisions relating to the appointment and remuneration of the Department's officers.