§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision is made in the Treaty with the Irish Free State for Irish professional civil servants who may desire to continue in office under the new regime: and whether any officer who continues service under the Provisional Government will do so at the risk of forfeiting his pension rights acquired in respect of service under the Imperial Government up to the 31st March, 1922?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe position and terms of employment of civil servants 861W who elect to take service under the Free State Government will be a matter for that Government, and particulars of the conditions of service under the Free State will, it is anticipated, be formulated by the Provisional Government before the Constitution comes into force. All civil servants, however, will have an option of retiring instead of taking service under the Free State, and in that case their right to compensation is secured to them by Article 10 of the Treaty and the corresponding provisions of the Transfer of Functions Order and the Draft Constitution.