§ Mr. MEAGHERasked the Chief Secretary whether clerks of unions appointed since the year 1899 are by an Order of the Privy Council obliged to supply returns of all adult deaths in their respective unions every year to the secretaries of the county councils for the purpose of preparing the Parliamentary franchise papers; whether, for the purpose of carrying out 158W this order, it is imperative on the clerks to visit the offices of the several registrars in their unions; whether there is any remuneration to the clerks for performing this duty, which entails travelling and other expense; and, if not, whether he will make provision, by a new order or other means, for having adequate remuneration, paid these officers for this work?
§ Mr. BIRRELLA clerk of a union, appointed since 1899 is bound in his capacity of superintendent registrar to supply the Return in question each year to the county secretary under Section 16 of the Parliamentary Registration (Ireland) Act, 1865, as amended by the Registration (Ireland) Rules, 1899. The Local Government Board understand that to carry out this duty it is necessary for the clerk to visit the offices of the various registrars in his district, but there is no statutory provision for payment of expenses incurred thereby, as the work forms part of his ordinary duties as superintendent registrar, for which he is paid a salary.