§ Mr. MEAGHERasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can explain the delays which occur in paying the quarterly fees to the clerks of the different pension subcommittee in the county Kilkenny; and whether he can provide for prompt payment to all clerks who have their returns properly made out at the end of each quarter?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe accounts for these fees are rendered to the Customs and Excise Department by the clerk to the Pension committee for the county, and as soon as possible after the accounts have been received and examined, orders for payments of the amounts due are sent to him for distribution among the clerks to the sub-committees. No undue delay has taken place in making these remittances, and any delay that has occurred has been due to the difficulty experienced in obtaining the necessary explanations of discrepancies in the accounts. The accounts for the quarter ended 31st December last were received on the 4th instant, and orders for payment of the clerk's fees were issued on the 15th instant.