§ Mr. HORNERasked whether any reduction has been made in the staff of the Irish Land Commission or is it contemplated making any reduction in it and, if so, what is the reduction made or contemplated; and, seeing that any reduction made or to be made is a consequence of the War and having regard to the recommendations of Ministers to employers as to their duty to retain and provide work for their employés, what provision, in compliance with their own recommendations, has been made by the Government for the civil servants of the Irish Land Commission whose services have been or are about to be dispensed with by that Department?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMy hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. It is the case that in the present circumstances856W certain reductions in the temporary staff of the Irish Land Commission have become possible and desirable and are being carried out. Thus the services of eleven temporary purchase inspectors, of two temporary assistant inspectors, and of ten temporary surveyors have already been, or will be, dispensed with, while savings will also be effected on the provision for temporary examiners of titles. The non-permanent character of these appointments has always been made clear to the holders, and I cannot recommend their retention in the public service at the present time. The reductions in the case of the permanent staff are being limited to the retirement on pension and without replacement of a number of officials who have attained the age of sixty years, when under an Order in Council they are liable to be retired at any time.