§ 11. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, according to Section 8 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1919, all local officers, subject to the sanction of the Local Government Board, can retire and claim a pension on arriving at a certain age; that, under the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1920, the duties of the Local Government Board with reference to this Section were transferred to the Irish Civil Service Committee; and that several old officials of the Belfast Corporation and other places have repeatedly signified their desire to retire but, owing to the Committee having failed to perform the duties of their office, these officers are unable to retire; and, if so, what steps the Government propose to adopt so that the provisions of the Act of 1920 may be carried out and the grievances under which these officers are suffering remedied?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODYes Sir. I am aware of the existence of cases such as those to which the question refers. Steps have already been taken to deal with them by the Treasury, acting on behalf of the Civil Service Committee, for the purpose of Section 68 (2) of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, but this arrangement is not wholly satisfactory and His Majesty's Government propose therefore, with the consent of the Government of Northern Ireland, to request the Civil Service Committee to reassemble at an early date for the purpose of dealing with these and certain other questions arising out of the Act of 1920, and with the Government of Northern Ireland alone are concerned.