§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Prime Minister whether the pensions to which judges, civil servants, and police in Ireland are or may become entitled, are chargeable on the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, subject to a provision under Sect on 57 of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, for deduction of the same from moneys payable out of the Exchequer to the Governments of Southern and Northern Ireland respectively; whether, after the establishment of the Irish Free State, the British Treasury will remain responsible for these pensions; and, if so, what will be the security for their payment in Southern Ireland out of Irish revenue?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLExisting pensions of Irish officers which are at present charged on the Consolidated Fund or paid out of moneys provided by Parliament will remain so charged or paid unless and until other arrangements are made with the Government of the Irish Free State. Article 10 of the Treaty contemplates that the compensation payable to Irish officers who retire or are discharged in consequence of the change of Government should be defrayed from the funds of the Irish Free State. The security for the payment of such compensation and the recovery of sums due from Irish funds on account of existing pensions of Irish officers or of any other liabilities of the Irish Free State will be the credit of that State.