§ 6. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the War bonus granted to the rank and file of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police between 1st March, 1915, and 31st March, 1919, has not been reckoned in calculating the pensions granted to those men who retired from both police forces during that period; whether such War bonus has been added 1419 to the pensions of ex-officials of the Post Office and other Civil Servants in Ireland who retired during that period under similar circumstances; and, if so, will he say why pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police are not dealt with in like manner by the Government?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Henry)The War bonus granted to members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police within the period referred to was expressly given as a non-pensionable emolument, and has been so treated. The Civil Service rate of War bonus, which is to a certain extent treated as pensionable, has not been extended to members of these forces, who, however, were granted permanent increases of pensionable pay on four occasions since the outbreak of the War, two of which fell within the period referred to.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWhy were the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police treated in a different way from these other officials?
§ Mr. HENRYBecause it was proposed permanently to increase their salaries, which has since been done.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill not the pensions of those who retired be injuriously affected?
§ Mr. HENRYAs I mentioned in the answer, two pensionable increases occurred in the period covered by the hon. and learned Member's question.