§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Minister of Transport whether an agreement was entered into between the Government and the railway officials providing a salary classification for female clerks on the railways on lines similar to that for male clerks and dating from 1st August, 1919: whether the classifications have been put into force for the male clerks in Great 2465W Britain and Ireland and for the female clerks in Great Britain only; if so, why is the Irish railway female staff the only party left unprovided for; and whether he will take steps to have this grievance removed and arrears paid to the female clerks on all Irish railways before Christmas?
§ Mr. NEALSo far as Great Britain is concerned, the hon. Gentleman's information is correct, the provisional agreement relating to the conditions of service of female railway clerks having been arrived at last August and confirmed by the Ministry of Transport in October. As regards Ireland, revised conditions of service for the male railway clerks have been introduced, but the question, so far as the female clerks are concerned, is still under discussion there, and no agreement has yet been reached. I fear I cannot say how soon it will be possible to deal finally with this question.