HC Deb 19 June 1906 vol 159 cc28-9
MR. HAZLETON (Galway, N.)

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the National Library of Ireland the work of entering up the library ledgers, classifying books, corresponding with donors, listing parliamentary papers, and other clerical and technical work, formerly done by the assistant librarians, now forms part of the daily duties of some of the attendants; and whether he will take steps to secure that if men classed and paid as messengers are called upon to perform such duties they will be given opportunities of promotion and extra remuneration, as is the case in the library of the British Museum.

(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The entering of registers, which are described as ledgers, and the filling up of printed forms and copying, have for many years been recognised duties of library attendants. It would be going too far to say that the attendants classify books, though they assist in the work. Regard was had to these duties when the remuneration for attendants was being fixed.