§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that many of the officials under the control of Poor Law Guardian Boards in Ireland were engaged for some months this year in making out Royal Commission Returns over and above their ordinary duties, and that certain of these officials have not yet been paid for this extra work; whether in the event of the board of guardians paying for this work, the amount involved will be refunded by the Treasury; and, if not, what steps, if any, will he take in the matter.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am aware that extra duties have been discharged by certain officers by boards of guardians in Ireland in connection with the preparation of the Returns referred to, which were ordered by Parliament. I under- 452 stand that some of these officers have not been paid by the boards for their extra work. As regards the concluding portion of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a Question asked by the hon. Member for South Wexford on the 26th November.