§ 10. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that, owing to the operation of Part II of the Schedule to the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, many pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary with small pensions are being deprived of the increase of pension which they would otherwise receive under that Act; whether, for instance, he is aware that a Royal Irish Constabulary man who retired on account of physical infirmity in 1917 1985 with a pension of £66 11s. 2d., and who would, but for Part II of the Schedule, have received an increase of 40 per cent. to his pension, namely, £40 8s. 5d., has been, under the operation of Part II. of the Schedule, adjudged to be entitled to receive only £8 8s. 10d. increase; and whether he will take steps to amend the law so as to avoid such cases of extreme hardship?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe provisions of Part II of the Schedule referred to are essential for the purpose of securing that due allowance is made for increases of pre-war pension already granted through improvement in pensions scale or increase in pensionable emoluments since the 4th August, 1914. The suggestion of my hon. and learned Friend is, therefore, not practicable.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that many of these faithful servants of the Crown are in a state of extreme penury—worse, many of them, than those who are in receipt of unemployment pay in this country?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI know that many ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary are in very hard circumstances, but it is for this House to decide whether their pensions shall be increased, and not for me.
§ 51. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the small pensions and very straitened circumstances of many pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the difficulty they have in getting employment of any sort, he will, as soon as possible, introduce a Bill to amend the Pensions Increase Act, 1920, on the lines urged on him by a deputation of these pensioners on 8th July, 1920; whether such Amendments will include the abolition of the age limit of 60 years, the elimination of earned and unearned income, and a reasonable increase of pension; and whether he has urged the Treasury to agree to such Amendments, and with what result?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe position of the Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners was very fully considered when the Pensioners (Increase) Act was passing through this House. I cannot, therefore, hold out any hope amending legislation on this subject.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERMay I call the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the extremely hard cases that have arisen under the operation of this Act, and especially Part 2 of the Schedule; and will he ask the Treasury to provide the money or bring in a Bill to amend that Act?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have asked the Treasury, and they have referred me to the House of Commons.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my right hon. Friend then bring in a Bill?