§ Captain Sir D. HALLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a number of prison officers in Ireland have been called on to retire in accordance with the terms of The Superannuation Act, 1919; whether a number of officers in the trades department, and who have reached the age limit under the same Act, are being retained; whether the Act has been applied without exception to all classes and ranks in the English service as specified in the Order in Council; will he now say why exception has now been made in the case of the trades' officers in Irish prisons; and will he take steps to have those officers retired without further delay or withdraw the notices already issued to the discipline and clerical ranks?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODUnder the Superannuation (Prison Officers) Act, 1919, prison officers over 60 are liable to compulsory retirement subject to the provisions of Clause 15 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910. The General Prisons Board have recommended under the provisions of this Clause that four officers who are artizans should be retained on the grounds that their retirement would be detrimental to 1907W the public service, their special knowledge being of great value, and their replacement impossible at present.