§ 63. Colonel Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the payment of pensions of Irish civil servants who retire or may be discharged in consequence of the change of Government, or who have retired prior to the change, will be guaranteed statutorily by the British Government; and whether such pensioners will be guaranteed that they shall not be in a less favourable condition, as regards the terms, Conditions, and tenure of their pensions than they would have been had they continued in the service of the British Government?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe payment of fair compensation, on terms not less favourable than those accorded by the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, to Irish civil servants who are discharged by the Free State or who retire in consequence of the change of Government, is prescribed and promised by Article 10 of the Treaty, to which statutory force has already been given, on the part of Great Britain, by the Free State Agreement Act, 1922, and on the part of Ireland by the Constitution of the Irish Free State which is being ratified by the Bill now before Parliament. The pensions of persons who retired prior to the change of Government are payable in the first place out of British revenues, subject to recovery from Irish funds.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether persons who retire under Article 10 of the Treaty will have their pensions guaranteed by the British Government, and whether that guarantee will be embodied in the Statute?
§ Mr. BALDWINI think that matter was fully discussed last night.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that no answer was given, and can he give one now?
§ Mr. BALDWINI would rather my hon. and learned Friend put a question on the Paper.