§ Mr. MEEHAN (Queen's County, Leix)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a gentleman named Wilkinson has recently been appointed to a position in the Irish Land Commission at a salary of £300 per annum, and that the duties performed by this gentleman were previously discharged by a boy clerk at 16s. per week; and will he state the reason for this appointment, and say
§ Exchequer what have been the gross and net receipts during the financial year 1905–6 from the duties on sugar, glucose, molasses, saccharine, and articles containing sugar or sweetening matter.
§ (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The gross and net receipts of Customs and Excise duties on sugar, molasses, glucose, saccharine, and articles containing sugar, during the financial year 1905–6, were—;
§ what are the qualifications and previous occupations of Mr. Wilkinson.
§ (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) Mr. W. F. Wilkinson was, on December 15th, 1905, appointed assistant to the clerk in charge of the department for the collection of interest in lieu of rent, at the salary stated in the Question. He is a skilled accountant who served his apprenticeship under a firm of public accountants, and had many years experience as managing 703 clerk to a firm of land agents, with a large clerical staff under his control. The staff of the department in question consists of forty clerks, who are under the control of the clerk in charge and his assistant. It is not the fact that the duties of such assistant were previously discharged by a boy clerk. The department in question is one of considerable importance; the number of payers of interest is now about 80,000 and is daily increasing, and a large clerical staff, under adequate supervision, is required for the duties of the department.