HC Deb 19 March 1907 vol 171 cc639-41
MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can arrange, in view of the increase in the junior clerical staff employed in the Land Commission Department, that the number of first and second clerks be correspondingly increased, with the object of establishing a proper system of direction and supervision in the offices.

(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Land Commissioners inform me that they are fully alive to the desirability of providing for the proper supervision of their junior clerical staff, and have taken the measures which they consider necessary to that end. The existing vacancy in the staff of first-class clerks is being filled up, but the creation of further first and second-class clerkships is not contemplated.

MR. FIELD

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of first, second, third, and other clerks assigned to the Land Commission in the year 1891, when it was made a permanent Government Department; whether he can state the number and status of the clerks now employed in these offices; and how many appointments have been made to this Department since the passing of the Land Act in 1903.

(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The clerical staff of the Irish Land Commission immediately following the organisation of the Department on a permanent basis, in January, 1892, was as follows—

First-class clerks 14
Second-class clerks 23
Third-class clerks 36
Registered writers and temporary clerks, etc. (which were, increased in numbers between 1892 and the passing of the Act of 1903) 48
121

At present the strength of the clerical staff of the Department, including the Estates Commissioners, is as follows—

First-class clerks (including one vacancy) 11
The reduction from fourteen was caused by the transfer of one to the Congested Districts Board, and transfer of two others to staff posts in the office of a different designation from that of first-class clerk.
Second-class clerks 23
Third-class clerks 30
Vacancies in this class are not filled. When such arise the strength of the clerical staff is maintained by the assignment of Second Division clerks.
Chief clerk to Estates Commissioners, and other clerks, mostly of senior grade 8
Clerks for legal purposes 8
Second Division clerks, including six vice third-class clerks 60
Assistant clerks 102
Record attendants 6
Temporary clerks and boy clerks, etc. 124
372

The increase in the clerical staff since 1st November, 1903, is as follows—

Chief clerk to Estates Commissioners, and other clerks, mostly of senior grade 7
Clerks for legal purposes 8
Second Division clerks, including six vice third-class clerks 60
Assistant clerks 78
Record attendants 4
Temporary clerks and boy clerks, etc. 50
207