§ 9. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the present scale of pay and allowances of resident magistrates in Ireland was fixed over 45 years ago and, with the exception of a temporary War bonus recently granted, no alteration in such pay and allowances has since taken place; whether the question of increasing the rate of pay and allowances of these men has now been under consideration of the Treasury for about 10 months; and whether any decision has been reached as to making this temporary War bonus permanent, or otherwise improving the financial position of these resident magistrates?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The consideration given last year to the claims of resident magistrates for an improvement in their financial position has been reviewed in connection with the improved rates of pay recently granted to police officers, and proposals are at present before the Treasury designed to remove the well-founded grievances in this respect of resident magistrates. A decision in the matter is shortly expected.