HC Deb 19 August 1889 vol 339 cc1663-5
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government, when handing over the Ulster Canal to the Lagan Navigation Company, took any, and what, guarantee (as suggested in Questions Nos. 737–740 in Proceedings of Committee on the Ulster Canal and Tyrone Navigation Bill), that the lock-keepers and labourers employed on the canal should be allowed either retiring allowance or pensions when incapacitated through old age or infirmity, to prevent them becoming chargeable on the poor rates; whether the Board of Works have recently received a claim for allowance from a lock-keeper, named Isaiah M'Quay, who alleges that he has been dismissed without pension by the Lagan Navigation Company, after 29 years' service, on the grounds of old age; and whether he proposes to cause the Board of Works to make any, and what, provision for this old servant of the Government; and, if not, will he explain on what principle the late superintendent of the Ulster Canal was provided by Government with a retiring pension of £240 a year, while servants of humbler grade were left with the poorhouse as their only alternative when the Lagan Navigation Company think fit to dismiss them as too old for their service.

* MR. JACKSON

No such guarantee as that referred to in the first paragraph of the hon. Member's question is implied in the replies given by me to the questions adverted to in Committee on the Ulster Canal and Tyrone Navigation Bill. I am informed that the Board of Works did receive an application from Isaiah McQuay, dated 8th March, 1889, but that, not having been advised of his discharge, they have made no representation to the Treasury in his behalf. The remainder of the hon. Member's question is based on an entire misapprehension, the Superintendent referred to having died before the transfer of the Canal.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Did we not distinctly understand from the hon. Gentleman that before the Government made over the Canal they would see that the lock-keepers and other poor old men were not discharged?

* MR. JACKSON

I understand that the man to whom the question refers has not been discharged.

MR. T. M. HEALY

He writes to say that he has been discharged.

* MR. JACKSON

That information differs from mine.

MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

Did not the hon. Gentleman when the matter was before the Commissioners assure the Committee that any existing interests in respect of pensions should not be lost or injured by reason of the transfer of the Canal from the Government to the company?

* MR. JACKSON

I should not like to answer a question of that kind without referring to the particular words which were used; but as I have stated, according to the information supplied to me, this man has not been discharged, but has been offered a similar appointment. Therefore no question in regard to a pension can arise.

MR. T. M. HEALY

May I ask if the Government, in handing over this undertaking to a private company in March last, took no steps to look after the interests of their employés?

* MR. JACKSON

If the hon. Member desires further information, will he be good enough to put a Question on the Paper.