§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether the Return of Irish salaried officials, of which notice now stands on the Order Paper, will be granted: ["Return of all the salaried officials of all the Gov- 2089W ernment Departments in Ireland, setting forth in each case the name, present official position, date of appointment, age at that date, whether the appointment was by (a) nomination without examination, (b) nomination with limited competition, or (c) nomination with qualifying examination, present salary, date when pension will accrue, amount of pension in normal course, total of present salaries for each Department, and total for all the Departments."]
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon Member will find in the annual estimates full information as to the total amount of salaries for each Department in Ireland. A Return is being prepared in continuation of Parliamentary Paper No. 326 of 1911, giving particulars as to salaried officials appointed by nomination, with or without examination. No accurate information could be given regarding the dates when pensions will accrue or as to the amounts of the pensions, as it would be impossible to foretell the effects of deaths, promotions, and other changes. In these circumstances, and in view of the great expense and the immense amount of labour involved in the preparation of such a Return, I cannot see my way to consent to its being granted.