§ 58. Mr. DEVLINasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider the desirability of extending the grant of the bonus to teachers in Irish workhouses and to pensioned teachers, since the claims of the workhouse teachers are as deserving as any and since the pensions were based on a pre-war valuation?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)I fear I can add nothing to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the hon. Member for Kilkenny City, on the 16th November.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these ex-teachers are in the Irish workhouses? Does he think it creditable to the State that that should be so?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have no knowledge of the circumstances.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation of Irish Members of Parliament of all parties on the question.
§ Mr. McKENNANo; any deputation should be received by the Chief Secretary.
§ Mr. DEVLINAs the Chief Secretary has already told the representatives from Ireland of all parties that he is sympathetic to the claims of these teachers, will the Treasury consider the matter? It is a small thing that ought to be done.