§ MR. J. P. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has been fully informed as to the treatment of three of the temporary clerks appointed as abstractors in Ireland since November 1902; whether he is aware that the deduction of 10 per cent. in the case, at least, of two of the clerks whose salaries were reduced was specifically enforced for pension purposes; will he explain why it is now sought to imply that the reductions were due to considerations of merit; if he will state what provision, if any, was made for superannuation of the four temporary clerks whose salaries were not reduced on appointment; if he is aware that these four clerks were appointed abstractors subsequent to the date of the appointment of the three whose salaries were reduced; if he is aware that the salaries of those who suffered a reduction were already less than the salaries of those who suffered no reduction; and if, considering the small number affected, he will adjust their salaries and refund a deduction which is unprecedented and has not since been enforced.
§ (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I do not think I can with advantage add anything to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Connemara Division of Galway of the 23rd ultimo.†