§ 81. Mr. A. SHORTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, during the passage of the Government 2030 of Ireland Bill of 1914, the Treasury declined to continue negotiations with the Congested Districts Board for Ireland on the question of giving effect to the provisions of Section 52 (2) of the Irish Land Act, 1909, on the ground that the matter was one which might be left over for the consideration of the proposed new Irish Government; whether the Treasury intimated at the same time that no officers employed by the Board would suffer any loss or deprivation as a result of this postponement; whether there are at present in the Board's employment officers of 25 years' service and upwards, some of whom are now in impaired health and may shortly be obliged to retire; whether a recommendation of the Irish Civil Service Home Rule Committee for the insertion of a Clause in the new Government of Ireland Bill safeguarding the interests of the officers employed by the Board was rejected by the Treasury; whether the Treasury will take immediate steps to render effective Section 52 (2) of the Irish Land Act, 1909?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Baldwin)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question on the subject on the 26th ultimo. The responsibility for framing a pension scheme under Section 52 (2) of the Irish Land Act, 1909, rests entirely with the Congested Districts Board. The Treasury has never refused to consider any suitable scheme framed under that Section which may be submitted for approval.
§ 82. Mr. SHORTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a communication was received from the Congested Districts Board for Ireland in September last inquiring whether the Treasury offer, made in May, 1912, to take over the financial responsibility of a scheme for the superannuation of the officers employed by the Board is still open for the consideration of the Board, and, alternatively, asking that the Treasury would indicate which classes of officers in the Board's service in the schedule accompanying their letter would be considered eligible for pension rights under Section 52 (2) of the Irish Land Act of 1909, in order that actuarial advice might be obtained by the Board as to the annual sum which would be required to finance a scheme out of the Board's own funds; 2031 whether the Treasury have yet come to a decision in the matter; and, if so, what is the nature of the decision and has it been conveyed to the Congested Districts Board for Ireland?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am in communication with the Irish Government on this matter, and I hope that a decision will shortly be conveyed to the Congested Districts Board.