HC Deb 31 October 1912 vol 43 cc560-1
51. Mr. FLAVIN

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Coyle, the accountant of the Kerry County Council, worked under the old grand jury system at a salary of £80 per year; whether he made an application to the Kerry County Council for an increase of salary, and, if so, with what result; and whether the fact that Mr. Coyle being a Protestant in religion was a bar to granting him an increase of salary?

Mr. BIRRELL

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. In 1906 the Kerry County Council increased Mr. Coyle's salary to £130, rising to £160 a year, his present salary. The Local Government Board have no information regarding Mr. Coyle's religion.

Mr. FLAVIN

May I ask whether Mr. Coyle, who is a very efficient officer and a Protestant, has ever been persecuted in county Kerry?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have not heard any complaints.

52. Mr. FLAVIN

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Singleton Goodwin, county surveyor of Kerry, is a transferred officer from the old grand jury, whose salary was £600 a year; whether he applied to the Kerry County Council for an increase of salary under the Local Government Act, and, if so, with what result; and whether the fact that Mr. Singleton Goodwin is a Protestant in religion and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, was a bar to granting him an increase of salary?

Mr. BIRRELL

Mr. Goodwin acted as county surveyor for Kerry under the old grand jury at an annual salary of £600, and at the passing of the Local Government (Ireland) Act of 1898, his salary was fixed at £830. In February, 1906, the Kerry County Council increased his salary to £900, rising to £1,000 a year, his present salary. The Local Government Board have no information with regard to the latter part of the question.

Mr. FLAVIN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman in connection with Mr. Goodwin, who is a very efficient officer and a Protestant, whether this is not a case of alleged persecution by Catholics?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have had no complaints from either of these officers.