§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary whether he 2270W is aware that the coroners throughout the country, more especially those under the county councils, have a serious grievance in that they are the only class of public officers whose salaries have not been raised to meet the increased cost of living; and what steps he is prepared to take to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe salaries of county coroners are fixed by agreement between them and the county councils under an Act of 1860, and coroners are entitled to have the amount reconsidered at the end of every five years. I believe that salaries have been raised in order to meet the increased cost of living to a considerable extent, but the matter is ordinarily one for settlement between the coroners and the local auhorities and, except in the event of disagreement and appeal by the coroner, I have no authority to intervene.