§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the present rate of pay of Irish prison warders; how long is it since any increase of pay was made in this office; whether he is aware that dissatisfction exists among the service in Ireland by reason of the fact that the scale of pay in Ireland is very much below the scale for similar duties in England and Scotland; what steps he proposes to take, either by way of inquiry or the receiving of a deputation, to urge the redress of this grievance; 51W and when definite action in the direction of placing Irish prison warders on the same plan of equality as regards pay and pension will be taken by his Department?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe present rate of pay of Irish prison warders is set out at pages 392–94 of the Parliamentary Estimates for Civil Services for the current financial year, the last general increase dating from 1908. I am aware that representations have been made with a view to the further increase of this rate to the level of that obtaining in the English and Scotch services, but as I have already pointed out various differences in conditions account for differences in pay between warders in these and in the Irish prison services. I may say at the same time that the General Prisons Board have put forward a scheme of reorganisation which includes proposals for an increase in the scale of pay. These proposals have been placed before the Treasury, who feel, however, that they are debarred from agreeing to any increased charge in respect of wages at the present juncture unless it is accompanied by counter balancing economies in the administrations of the prisons service. I am in consultation with the Prisons Board on this point, but it has not so far been found possible to frame any scheme for permanent economies which does not involve large capital expenditure. In these circumstances and in view of the fact that the representations of the prison officers are on record, I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by my receiving a deputation on the subject.