§ MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state what salaries do warders, matrons (assistant), and clerks in the English prison service receive; what salaries do warders, assistant matrons, and clerks in the Irish prison service receive; is it the intention of the Government to increase the salaries of warders and assistant matrons in the Irish prison service, whose duties are as arduous as those of officers in the English service, on the same lines as is about to take effect in April next in England; and, as clerks in the Irish prison service, whose duties are as difficult as in England, have to serve seventeen and a half years to get an increment of £35, an equal amount being given in increments in England in seven years, will the Government consider the advisability of giving clerks in the Irish service their total increments in seven years and placing them on the same footing as to salary as in England.
§ (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The present rates of pay of the officers mentioned in both the English and the Irish prison services will be found in the Estimates for the current year. The Irish Government have no knowledge of any intention to increase the salaries of English prison officers, and if the hon. Member desires information on the subject he should address my right hon. friend the Home 1488 Secretary. The question of increasing the pay of Irish prison officers has not recently been under consideration.