§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN (for Mr. Vincent Kennedy)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will say how many extra Inland Revenue officers have been engaged in investigating the working of the Old Age Pensions Act in Ireland; will the result of their inquiries be known; is he going to have a similar inquiry instituted in England; and, if not, will be explain why he does not propose to take that course?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSESix inspectors have been sent to Ireland to make these investigations. Some time must elapse before the result of their inquiries will be fully known, but my right hon. Friend expects to receive an interim report in the course of a few weeks. My right hon. Friend does not consider that a similar inquiry is necessary in England for the reasons which he gave when the supplementary Estimate for old age pensions was before the House on 1st March last. I should add that the general work of the old age pension officers will be inspected in the usual course.
§ Mr. STEWART BOWLESWill the report of the proceedings of these officers be laid before the House?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am not quite sure I should like notice.