asked the Minister for Justice (1) whether a scheme for the establishment of the Clerks of the District Courts was submitted to the Department of Finance by his Department twelve months ago; and, if so, if he will state whether the scheme has been sanctioned, and when it will become operative; and if not, what is the cause of the delay; and (2) whether the establishment will be made retrospective in the cases of clerks who have been appointed and have given satisfactory service since 1922.

A scheme for the establishment of whole-time District Court Clerks has now been sanctioned by the Minister for Finance and will be put into operation at once.

In the case of whole-time clerks who have been employed since 1922 the establishment will take effect as on 1st January, 1927.