§ Mr. CLANCYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that under the heading salaries, wages, and allowances in the Irish Prison Estimates for the year 1917–18 a decrease of £577 is shown as compared with the year 1916–17 under the same heading; whether this decrease means that the warders' pay has been reduced and not increased by the new scheme; and whether he will now take steps to have those Officers pay substantially increased so as to meet the cost of living, especially in view of the fact that it is nine years since the Irish prison warders last received an increase in their salaries?
§ Mr. DUKENo, Sir. The anticipated reduction is due to an expected decrease in the necessary number of prison officers consequent upon a largely reduce prison population.