Captain O'NEILLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that anxiety exists amongst Irish national teachers with regard to the question of an improvement in their pensions, owing to the fact that there is a decrease in the estimates for education in Ireland for the current year, whilst in the cases of England and Scotland there is a substantial increase; whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave considerable encouragement to a deputation of Irish National teachers which waited on him last summer; and what steps he now proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAs regards the first part of the question, I may point out that the pensions of National School teachers in Ireland are paid not from Votes of Parliament, but out of the Pension Fund. As regards the remainder of the question, I fear I can add nothing to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Clare on the 4th instant.
Captain O'NEILLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can ascertain from the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he proposes to do in regard to improving the pensions for Irish National teachers?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI do not know that he intends to do anything.