§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of men drawing pensions who joined the Royal Irish Constabulary during the period from 10th August, 1866, to the passing of the 1916 Act?
§ Mr. DUKE>There is no exact record, but I am told that about 95 per cent. Of880W the 7,195 pensioners provided for in the Estimates joined the Royal Irish Constabulary subsequently to the 10th August, 1866.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the approximate average pension of men who retired from the Royal Irish Constabulary between August, 1866, and 1916, is £44 per annum, and, taking into consideration the prices for the necessaries of life and the purchasable power of this pension is approximately £20; will he say what steps he now intends to take to relieve these ex-public servants; if he is aware that a sum of £185,000 of an overplus will revert to the Treasury; and, as this amount is purely money subscribed in Ireland, will he consider the advisability of granting a bonus to the pensioners concerned?
§ Mr. DUKEThe approximate average pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary are: Ex-Head Constables, £71; ex-sergeants, £53; ex-acting sergeants and constables, £41. I am advised that the forecast of a surplus £185,000 is unfounded. As to the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24th October to a question by the hon. Member for the College Green Division.