§ Mr. WARDLE(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board 1828 of Trade whether the arrangement for payment of a war bonus of 7s. per week to the employés on the Irish railways is applicable to the clerical staff, or if some other arrangement less favourable to that section of the establishment will be made; and whether he is in a position to give a promise that, in connection with the State control of Irish railways, similar provision will be made for the staff employed in the Irish Railway Clearing House and the headquarters offices of the companies as was made in the case of Great Britain?
Mr. ROBERTSThe Irish railway clerks were not included in the recent settlement, but I have no reason to doubt that their case will be favourably considered. I have already dealt with the position of the clerks employed in the Railway Clearing House in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin. My hon. Friend will recollect that when possession was taken of the British railways he was informed that there was then no intention of dispensing with anyone in the Clearing House for the present, but that should the War continue for any lengthy period the matter might have to be reconsidered.