§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether a principal clerk in the Audit Office in receipt of £850 per annum acts as paid secretary to the Royal Almoner; and, if so, seeing that his duties as paid secretary are performed during the usual official hours which obtain in the Audit Office, will he explain what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I am informed that the officer referred to, who has acted as secretary to the Lord High Almoner since 1st January, 18S6, was permitted by the then Comptroller-General to accept the post, the duties of which are not onerous, on the distinct understanding that they should be performed outside the regular office hours, and this condition has been strictly complied with.