§ 3. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many Irish Civil servants were represented by the Civil Servants' Committee with whom he negotiated in respect of certain provisions in the Government of Ireland Bill?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Civil Service Committee in connection with the Government of Ireland Bill consists of sixty-eight members representative of twenty-nine Departments. The total number of Civil servants represented by the Committee is 5,649.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONWas the Committee elected by these Civil servants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir, I believe not; but I have not received any expression of dissatisfaction from any quarter. If the hon. Member has any, perhaps he might let me know about them.
§ 4. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked whether those members of the Customs and Excise Department in Ireland who are engaged in old age pension work are to be considered as Irish Civil servants within the meaning of the Government of Ireland Bill; and, if not, whether he can give some assurance that senior members of that Department stationed in Ireland will not be compulsorily removed to Great Britain in consequence of the transfer of the administration of old age pensions to the Irish Government, but will be offered the option of retiring on fair compensation terms if no employment be found for them in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member's question relates to certain officers of Customs and Excise who do not become officers of the Irish Government either on the passing of the Bill or at any subsequent date. 495 Such officers continue in the service of the United Kingdom Government, and I cannot see why this Bill should be made an occasion for improving their conditions of employment.