§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will reconsider his decision to withdraw the pensionable amount of £l0 per annum paid to the officers at Maryborough convict prison; whether he is aware that a similar pensionable amount is paid to officers in convict prisons in England and Wales as a compensation for the peculiar nature of the duties and situations of those prisons as compared with other prisons; and whether he is prepared to fully assimilate the pay and conditions of service of Irish warders with those obtaining in England and Wales?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe introduction of the new English prison scales of salaries to Irish prison officers was made conditional by the Treasury on the withdrawal of the pensionable allowances of £15 for the chief warder, and £10 for warders hitherto paid to these officers of Maryborough convict prison. Certain officers employed at the English convict prisons are granted a special allowance of 3s. a week in view of the situation of these prisons. The Treasury have decided that they are not satisfied that the288W conditions obtaining at Maryborough prison are such as to justify the grant of the allowance there. Further representations in regard to the matter have been received and are at present under the consideration of the Irish Government.