§ 25. Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any progress has been made into the claims of the Irish school teachers, Irish postal employés, Dublin Metropolitan Police, and Army Pay clerks for an increase in wages; and if he is aware that almost every Government employé in Ireland is paid less wages than those in England doing similar work?
§ Mr. DUKEThe question of the pay of National school teachers is, I am informed, under the consideration of the Commissioners of National Education. Proposals regarding the pay of the Irish police have been submitted by the Irish Office to the Treasury. The pay of Irish postal employés and Army Pay clerks is outside the province of the Irish Government. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's question, I would refer to the replies which I gave to his question on this subject on the 17th August last.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are at present over 2,000 school teachers in Ireland who receive salaries of £24 a year?
§ Mr. DUKEI am afraid it will not help the progress of this matter to search my memory for details; but I am aware that at the present time the whole matter is under the serious consideration of the Commissioners of Education in Ireland, and is the subject of communications between them and the Irish Administration.