§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary whether the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary has the same power to compel pensioners from the force to discharge their debts as he has over men in the service; and whether the authorities can compel a pensioner who has contracted union hospital debts to pay them?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Inspector-General has no power over constabulary pensioners as regards the payment of their debts. If a pensioner becomes chargeable to the rates as a pauper inmate of a workhouse the charge for his maintenance is1504W deducted from his pension. If he enters a workhouse hospital as an ordinary patient the hospital charges are not deducted from his pension save by his consent.