§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the delay in payments to pension clerks, to the nature of the work performed by them, and to their alleged inadequate remuneration under the existing system, the Treasury will take into consideration the advisability of paying fixed salaries in addition to the fees at present allowed, so as to put all clerks on an equal and secure footing?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am assured that there is no unnecessary delay on the part of the Boards of Customs and Excise in paying the fees of clerks to local pension committees who render their account promptly and accurately. Nor am I aware of any general allegation that the scale of fees is inadequate. I am not, in the circumstances, prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Secretary to the Treasury, if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the clerks of pension sub-committees in the county of Cork owing to their not having received any pension fees for nearly fifteen months; whether he is aware that the same clerks have threatened not to summon any more 1310W meetings of their committees in consequence of this continued non-payment of their claims, a course which might result in losses to claimants; and, seeing that the statement was made on the 12th October last that the clerks would be paid without delay, can he explain why the Treasury paying orders have not yet been received by the clerks of the sub-committees?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe statement I made on the 12th October last was that payment of the fees for the nine months ended in June, 1912, would be made as soon as certain necessary inquiries had been completed. I find that the completion of these inquiries is still awaiting the receipt of certain information from the clerk to the County Cork local pension committee. Arrangements have been made for payment of so much of the fees as is not dependent on this information. The claim for fees in respect of the quarter ended September, 1912, was only received this month; and the clerk to the committee has been asked to reply to certain queries arising out of its preliminary examination. As I stated on the 12th October, the punctual payment of these fees depends on the promptness and accuracy with which the accounts are rendered to the Board of Customs and Excise by the clerk to the county pension committee I can accept no responsibility for any delay in payment which arises out of the clerk's delay in rendering the accounts or in answering inquiries connected therewith.