HC Deb 22 February 1917 vol 90 cc1465-6
28. Mr. NUGENT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the new scale of pay for Irish warders does not put prison warders in the Irish service in receipt of the same pay as they would have if they entered the service under the improved conditions, and that the salaries of the English and Irish services cannot be identical unless the Irish warders are placed on the same pay they would receive if they entered the service under these conditions; and whether, seeing that the new scheme has failed to satisfy the demands of the Irish prison warders to be placed on an equal basis with those in the English prisons service,, he will take steps to see that they are so placed or receive representatives of the-married section of the Irish prisons service with a view to obtaining a full and accurate account of their present condition?

Mr. DUKE

I dealt with this matter in answer to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin on Monday last.

Mr. FIELD

When may we expect an answer to the question, as this is no reply?

Mr. DUKE

In answer to the hon. Gentleman I indicated the conditions precedent to the answer, which have not yet been completed.

Mr. NUGENT

May I point out that the two answers given to this question are entirely contradictory? We were given to understand—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."]