§ 48. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that some 400 ex-British civil servants in Southern Ireland are still waiting to retire, under Article 10 of the agreement for a treaty between Great Britain and the Irish Free State, but are unable to obtain the pensions to which they are entitled, as the compensation committee set up to hear their applications has not sat for some two years since Mr. Justice Wylie resigned the chairmanship; and whether, having regard to the delay in dealing with these ex-British civil servants' claims he will make representations to the Irish Free State in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies on the 9th November to the right hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. T. P. O'Connor), to which I have nothing to add.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes the Prime Minister recognise the special claims which these men have that the British Government should look after their interests, considering that they were British Government servants, and will the right hon. Gentleman say if anything can be done to expedite the settlement of their claims?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Member will refer to the reply which I have given to this question, he will see that the whole matter is under consideration.