HC Deb 13 February 1917 vol 90 cc538-9

Motion made, and Question proposed,

"That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £250, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1917, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Department of the Registrar-General of Births, etc."

Mr. FIELD

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman who is in charge of this Bill in what way is this sum of £250 used for the registration of business names?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)

The Registrar-General of Ireland (Sir William Thompson) has undertaken to carry on the registry established under the Act of Parliament passed at the end of last year, and this is a provision for the additional expenditure before March 31st. A great deal of the work is being done by officers in the course of their duty, but there must be some necessary increase in the clerical work, especially at a time like this, and in conjunction with office arrangements there will be some charges. The £250 is estimated partly for clerical work and partly for office expenses. In view of the existence of the new Department that will not be considered excessive.

Mr. FIELD

I simply wanted the information. I was not criticising. I wanted to know whether the Registrar-General for Ireland was carrying out the Act of Parliament in relation to the registration of business names.

Mr. DUKE

That is so.

Question put, and agreed to.