§ MR. DELANYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what functions are exercised by Sir E. W. A. Holmes, K.C.B., Treasury Remembrancer at Dublin, with reference to applications for promotion forwarded to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury by the heads of Irish Government departments; whether he is aware that a feeling exists among Dublin Civil Servants that their advancement is in no wise proportionate to the increases granted to Sir Robert's personal staff; whether he will state, with reference to Messrs. J. T. Drennan, H. P. Boland, and E. Fahey, who were successively personal clerks to Sir Robert, what would be the present amount of their salaries it those of them who were entitled to annual increments received them, but no other promotion, from the date of their first appointment to the Treasury Remembrancer's office; what is the amount of the present salary and allowances of each of these gentlemen; whether there are any other instances in the Dublin Civil Service of either temporary or permanent clerks receiving such rapid advancement as has been given to these clerks; and whether he can 1577 arrange that other Dublin Civil Servants can be afforded equal opportunities to Sir Robert's staff when opportunities for promotion arise.
§ MR. RUNCIMANI have made inquiries respecting the substance of this Question, and I am satisfied that there is no foundation for the insinuations which it contains against an officer of high distinction who has earned the confidence of successive Boards of Treasury. The hon. Member has put to me several Questions containing reflections on the personal character of public officials, for which I have found no evidence, and I must take this opportunity of adding that I shall in future decline to answer further inquiries of this kind.
§ MR. DELANYMay I be allowed to ask the Prime Minister whether he will provide a gramaphone for the Treasury Bench in order to answer such Questions?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ At the end of Questions:
§ MR. DELANYasked Mr. Speaker whether it was in order for any Minister to refuse to answer Questions placed on the Paper regarding his Department or to announce in anticipation that he declined to answer in future Questions put to him.
§ *MR. SPEAKERI do not think the Secretary to the Treasury refused to answer any Questions the hon. Member might put to him, but only certain Questions of a particular character. He said that if Questions of that character were put he would not undertake to answer them. I cannot compel any Minister to answer; he must use his judgment in each case as to whether an answer is desirable or not.
§ MR. DELANYTo whom shall I in future address Questions in order that I may get an Answer? Is it to be to the clerks at the Table?
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe only duty of the clerks at the Table is to see that the Question is framed according to Parliamentary traditions and order. It remains with the Minister to decide upon public grounds whether it should be answered or not.
§ MR. DELANYAm I to consult the Secretary to the Treasury as to whether a Question I wish to ask him is of the character he approves?
§ [No Answer was returned.]