Colonel NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary if rewards for acting as ex-officio Inspectors of Weights and Measures in Ireland have been paid to such ex-officio inspectors for the year 1920–21; if not, why have such rewards not been paid; if moneys received as fees from traders in Ireland for the verification of weights and measures, and weighing instruments under the Weights and Measures Acts by ex-officio Inspectors of Weights and Measures, have been paid out as rewards for good police duty to others than ex-officio inspectors; if so, will he give the authority for such payments; and what has been done with the sum of £637 3s. 8d. transferred from account for fees for verification of weights and measures on 31st March, 1921, to Subdivision A of Reward Branch, Constabulary Force Fund, and the sum of £1,247 11s. 7d. transferred to the same Subdivision for Sub-division B of the same fund?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe payment of appropriate rewards for ex-officio Inspectors of Weights and Measures for the financial year 1920–21, has now been authorised. Owing to the frequency with which the Royal Irish Constabulary during the recent troubles were called upon to display the highest qualities of bravery and devotion to duty, and owing to the magnificent manner in which the members of the force responded to the calls made upon them, a shortage of money arose in Sub-division A of the Rewards Branch of the Constabulary Force Fund from which rewards for good police duty are paid. The amounts to be paid to the Inspectors of Weights and Measures for the past year had not then been determined, and in order to provide funds for the payments of rewards256W for good police duty which were already approved, the balance to the credit of Sub-division B was transferred to Subdivision A. It was never intended to deprive the Inspectors of Weights and Measures of their due rewards and funds are available for the payment of their rewards for 1921–22, as soon as the necessary recommendations have been made.