§ 6. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, according to the Report of the Irish police committee of inquiry in 1914, there were at that time 6,435 Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners in Ireland, of whom 42.9 were unemployed; whether he has reason to believe that the percentage of such unemployed pensioners has diminished since the date of that Report; and whether he can state 1630 the number of Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners at present and approximately the number unemployed?
§ Mr. HENRYThe figures given in the Report of the Irish Police Committee of Inquiry, 1914, with regard to Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners are as stated in the question, but the Department is not in possession of information regarding the percentage which unemployed pensioners at present represents. The present total number of Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners is 8,031. To find out the present number of unemployed Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners would entail a detailed local inquiry that at present cannot be undertaken.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to terrorism and other causes, these pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary find the greatest difficulty in getting employment at all?