MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS (Birmingham, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the North Dublin Union, in a recent public advertisement for a night watchman, lay it down as a condition that no pensioner is eligible; and whether this condition is intended to exclude men because they have served in the British Army or in the Royal Irish Constabulary, but who may otherwise be fit and proper persons to be appointed?
MR. J. MORLEYI have seen a copy of the advertisement referred to. The Local Government Board have been informed by the assistant clerk of the Union that, so far as he is aware, the condition was not inserted in the advertisement for the purpose of excluding men because they had served in the Army or Constabulary, but because the Guardians believe that there are a large number of respectable men unemployed in the City, and that the Guardians are anxious to give preference to persons of this class so as to prevent the possibility of their becoming a burden on the rates.
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSI venture to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is of opinion that that is the real reason for the exclusion—[Cries of "Order!"]
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder! It is impossible to hear what the hon. Member says.
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks the reason alleged by the Clerk of the Guardians is the real reason?
§ *MR. SPEAKERThat is a question which I think the right hon. Gentleman cannot answer.
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman allow me to ask him this—whether, considering that the Government are taking energetic steps to secure employment for pensioners in England, he will make some representations to the Board of Guardians in 1071 Ireland, so that a similar policy may be pursued there?
MR. J. MORLEYNo, Sir; I do not propose to do anything of the kind. It is quite true that the House expressed a very strong opinion in favour of the employment of pensioners; but upon the occasion of that discussion in this House there were Members, including, I think, the hon. Member for Battersea (MR. J. Burns), who adopted the view that persons who had pensions were not on that account well fitted to compete with ordinary labour. I think that is not an entirely unreasonable view; but whether it is or not, I am not going to press any views on that subject upon the independent Local Bodies in Ireland.