§ 32. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether in the performance of technical work by the subordinate staff of the National Library of Ireland there are official duty sheets made out by the librarian and signed by him; and, if so, whether those duty sheets are preserved and filed; whether they will be produced for at least five years back as evidence in substantiation of the statements already made; whether in recognition of the performance of those duties the council or trustees of the National Library of Ireland on petition or memorial recommended a change of title from attendant, which is a complete misnomer, to that of assistant; and, if so, having in view the cost of living and the appearance of respectability it is incumbent on these men to keep, the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland will ask the Secretary to the Treasury to recommend an increase of salary to this staff?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department are fully conversant with the nature of the duties perfomed by the attendants in the library. The present is not an opportune time to consider the question of the desirability or otherwise of an alteration in the title of the post. The Department have under consideration the question of the remuneration paid to certain of these attendants.
§ Mr. FARRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman make an effort to meet the men in this matter?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI shall do what is possible.