§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he had received representations from asylum staffs in Ireland setting forth that the period of service to entitle an official or attendant to a pension is, under present conditions, fixed at too great a number of years; that the contributions required under Section 9 of the Asylum Officers' Superannuation Act of 1909 are unfairly arranged so far as Ireland is concerned, and that a uniform contribution of 2 per cent. would fully compensate the local authorities; that Section 16 of the Act of 1909, which requires gratuities and superannuations to be calculated on a ten years' average, is without precedent, as it prevents those who have risen by their merit to higher posts in the service from reaping the fruits of their efforts, and suggesting the substitution of a three years' average such as is found in other pension Acts; whether the Government approve of the Bill now before Parliament for improving the conditions of service in Irish asylums; and will any facilities be given for its passage into law?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have not received any representations of the nature indicated in the question. The Bill referred to by the hon. Member has not yet been circulated, and I cannot, therefore, express any opinion upon it.