§ 14. Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether His Majesty's Government has come to a decision with reference to the allowance of increased remuneration to Irish prison warders; and whether he is now in a position to say whether it is the intention of the Government to place the prison warders in Ireland in a position of equality as regards the remuneration with prison warders in England and Scotland?
§ Mr. DUKEThe amendments in the pay of Irish prison warders have been communicated to the officers concerned, and have appeared in the Press. As to the latter part of the question, I would refer to the answer I gave last Thursday to the hon. Member for East Mayo.
§ Mr. SCANLANWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the question whether it is the intention to put the prison 1270 warders in Ireland on an equality as regards remuneration with prison warders in England and Scotland?
§ Mr. DUKEI told the hon. Member for East Mayo, in the answer which I gave him, the whole question was dealt with by a scheme which was presented some few months ago and which hag been extended within the last two or three weeks in order to meet the promises made on the subject. I cannot add anything to what is conveyed in the answer to that question.
§ Mr. SCANLANThe simple question which I want answered is whether the right hon. Gentleman agrees that prison warders in Ireland are entitled to as much per week as prison warders in England and Scotland?
§ Mr. DUKEThat is a general principle on which I cannot express an opinion unless a particular case is put to me.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that workers in Ireland are paid by the Government a lesser wage than is paid in England or Scotland, and why should that be so?