Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the position of the Irish prison warders as affected by the scheme of payment recently introduced; and whether he is now in a position to recommend the 972W officials in the Irish prison service to be placed on an equality with those on the English service, in accordance with the promises made to them?
§ Mr. DUKEI have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has authorised certain detailed improvements in the scheme of payments recently introduced, which have been communicated to the General Prisons Board, and will be published in due course.
Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if it is intended to reduce the general staff of the Irish prisons service by 100 warders; if the reduction is to be secured by the compulsory retirement of all warders with under fifteen years' service; if he is aware than any further reduction of those officials would mean the imposing of extra and long hours of duty on those retained, and that it would impose untold hardships on the married warders with young and helpless families who would be compelled to retire; and, if such a course is in contemplation, will he say at what date the reduction is to take place, and what provision is to be made for the married warders affected?
§ Mr. DUKEThere has been no proposal made to retire any warders under fifteen years service. It has been proposed to make use temporarily of the services of such number of warders as are not at present required for prison work on such other public employment as can be found for them.