§ 55. Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether, before its issue, his attention was called to a circular sent out by the Local Government Board for Ireland intimating to county and borough councils in Ireland that no registration printing done in respect of the voters' and jurors' Acts was to be paid for after 31st August; whether he is aware that, in the case of many contracts for the printing of the register of voters in Ireland, they are inclusive of other printing besides that of the 465 voters' lists; whether he will explain why printers, who have entered into such contracts on the basis of a three or five years' limit, should now have their contracts annulled and all the labour spent in putting up the type for these works left idle and unpaid for; whether he is aware that, at the very utmost figure, the total of such contracts in all Ireland would be less than £10,000 per annum; and whether he will ask the Local Government Board to reconsider their Order and leave it an open question between the contractors and the different councils concerned, especially in view of the fact that this Order means the disemployment of a number of poor men in the winter time of the year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except that the governing date is the 31st July, and not the 31st August. It is a fact that in the case of many contracts for the printing of the register of voters in Ireland they are inclusive of other printing besides that of the voters' lists. The only portion of such contracts that is annulled is that in respect of printing for registration work. Without special inquiry throughout Ireland it would not be possible for the Local Government Board to give particulars as to the extent of such contracts. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in considering that the Board have made any Order on the subject of the payment to contractors in regard to their claims under their contracts. The provisions objected to were laid down by Parliament and not by the Board, and the extent to which contractors may receive payment for work done prior to 31st July of this year is regulated by the terms of the Act.
§ Sir GEORGE TOULMINMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Local Government Board in England have made arrangements, which are working very well, to settle similar questions that have arisen in England, and whether he can consult with them and have similar arrangements in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes; so long as the arrangements are legal, there is no objection.