Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what allowances are made from public funds for house rent for married head constables and men in the Royal Irish Constabulary; if this allowance is pensionable; when it was fixed; if it has ever been increased in the rural districts; whether the allowance is considered sufficient in the present circumstances; what is the amount of all the other permanent monthly allowances drawn by single and married men in the force; and if any of these allowances are pensionable?
§ Mr. DUKEThe lodging allowance of a married head constable or other constable whose family are not accommodated in barracks is, in rural districts £5 4s. per annum, with £2 12s. exemption from deduction for accommodation in barracks, making a total of £7 16s. In the cities of Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Derry, Water-ford, and Dublin the total allowance is £10 8s. These allowances are not pensionable. The lodging allowance was first granted in 1883, at the rate of £2 12s. a year with exemption from deduction of £2 12s. It was increased by £2 12s. per annum in April, 1903, for both rural and urban districts. The matter was inquired into by a Committee in 1914, and statistics were obtained from every part of Ireland. The conclusion arrived at was that the circumstances did not justify any increase in the allowance. The amount764W of the other personal allowances is £1 15s. per annum. They are not pensionable, and the Committee of Inquiry in 1914 were unable to recommend their inclusion for purposes of pension.
Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that a Committee of Inquiry in 1914 recommended that some remuneration should be given to sergeants in the Royal Irish Constabulary who act as inspectors of food and drugs; and if it is intended to carry out this recommendation, as suggested, by arrangement between the Inspector-General and the local authorities?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Committee to which the hon. Member refers suggested that some remuneration should be given to the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who are employed as inspectors under the Food and Drugs Act by arrangement between the constabulary and the local authorities. This difficult question was carefully considered in 1917, and it was found impracticable to carry out the suggestion.
Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state what is the maximum pay and pension of a first-class district inspector in the Royal Irish Constabulary; what is the yearly amount of the war bonus at present paid to these officers; what amount is allowed to them as local executive officers to the Food Controller; and what allowance is made to such officers for house rent, servant, forage, and fuel; if any or all of these allowances are pensionable; and if in is intended to make any of the allowances to the rank and file pensionable?
§ Mr. DUKEThe maximum pay of a first-class district inspector is £300, and he may also receive good service pay of £30. The lodging allowance, £45, and servants' allowance, £55, are pensionable, and the maximum pension without good service pay is £266 13s. 4d.; with good service pay £286 13s. 4d. The war bonus of a first-class district inspector varies from £42 to £48. A temporary allowance of £1 per week is paid to those district inspectors who act as executive officers of the Food Controller. The lodging and servants' allowances of district inspectors are pensionable under Statute, but the other allowances are not pensionable. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
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Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that at present single men serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary have deducted from their pay a sum of Is. Per week for accommodation in barracks; and, as these barracks are largely used for public purposes, 766W whether he will recommend that this deduction from the pay of the men should cease?
§ Mr. DUKEThe deduction named is made under a statutory direction. I am advised that there is no reason for an amendment of the Statute in this respect.