§ Mr. W. COOTEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total cost of the Irish branch of the Ministry of Labour; what are the salaries paid the chief officers in Dublin and Belfast, respectively; and how many other officers there are in both Departments drawing salaries of £700 per annum and upwards; and is he aware of the general feeling in all parts of Ireland that this Department might be wound up?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have been asked to reply. I would explain that the head-quarters of the Irish Department of the Ministry of Labour are in Dublin, and that there is no separate branch at Belfast, the local offices of the Ministry in Belfast being under the direct control of the Dublin office. The cost of the Irish Department of the Ministry of Labour for the financial year 1920–21 is estimated at £240,000. This includes the additional expenditure incidental to the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, and the cost of services rendered by other Departments. The Secretary of the Irish Department, who is the officer in charge of the Department, receives a salary of £1,500 per annum, plus the current Civil Service war bonus. In addition there are four officers whose salaries, exclusive of war bonus, equal or exceed £700 per annum. None of these officers is stationed at Belfast. I am not aware of any general feeling in Ireland that the Department should be wound up.