§ Mr. MEAGHERasked whether, in the event of the Irish Parliament taking steps to reform the present Poor Law system in Ireland and make it in accordance with Irish necessities and conditions, the existing Irish Poor Law officers will be considered as Irish officers within the meaning of the Act?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIn the event of the Irish Parliament taking steps to reform the present Poor Law system, it will be open to them to make proper provision for the existing Poor Law officers, and there is no reason to anticipate that they will omit to do so. The Government of Ireland Bill makes no alteration in the Poor Law system or the position of Poor Law officials, 962 and it would therefore be impossible to deal with them as Civil servants are dealt with in that Bill.