§ Sir H. CARLILEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider the claims of clerks and officers of the County Courts to receive similar rates of pay and pension to those existing in the High Court, in view of the fact that recent legislation has thrown upon these County Court officials a large increase of work and such as necessitates a much wider range of knowledge than was formerly required?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. McKinnon Wood)These clerks and bailiffs are, and always have been since the institution of the present system of County Courts in 1847, engaged, paid, 2125 and dismissed by the registrars and high bailiffs of County Courts. Their salaries are paid out of the statutory remuneration fees and allowances of their employers, partly derived from moneys voted by Parliament and partly from fees charged to suitors. In this connection it should be remembered that registrars and high bailiffs are clothed with considerable responsibility, and that they give large security to the Crown for the carrying out of their duties which covers, and always has covered, the acts and defaults of their employés. Such a system, which has produced great efficiency in the County Courts, does not admit of consideration being given to a claim on the part of the clerks and bailiffs to receive similar rates of pay and pension to those existing in the High Court, where the circumstances are different.
§ Sir H. CARLILEIs there any possibility of these clerks in the future being put on the establishment?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI cannot make any such promise.
§ Mr. RENDALLIs it not very desirable, in view of the dissatisfaction which has been prevalent over a long period of years, that there should be some promotion to the establishment staff?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODNo, Sir; it is always desired to be on the establishment staff.