§ MR. O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will give a Return showing the number of persons who, under the Union Officers' Superannuation Bill, will become entitled to pensions, and showing the amount which will become chargeable on the rates immediately; the rate of annual increase and the estimated maximum of the charge on the rates after a lapse of ten years?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have just received the following telegram:—
There are more than 5,000 Union and medical officers employed in Ireland at present, and it would he impossible, without making inquiries respecting their ages, service, state of health, and the wishes of the senior officers on the subject of retirement to prepare even an approximate Return of those who will he entitled to receive pensions within the next 10 years. For the same reason it would be impossible to form an estimate which could be presented as a Return of the amount which will become chargeable on the rates to meet the payment for superannuation allowances.The existing Act authorizing Union officers to be granted pensions has been in force since 1865, and the Act authorizing medical officers to be granted pensions since 1869, and during that time the charge for pensions has grown to £14,999, which is about ¼d. in the pound on the valuation of the rateable property in Ireland. It is not thought probable that the expense under the new Bill will much, if at all, exceed the present expenditure under the existing Acts.
§ MR. O'KELLYIn view of the fact that the Government cannot lay on the Table of the House correct information 739 on this matter, would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of postponing the Superannuation Bill until they can give precise information?
§ [No answer was given.]