§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Chief Secretary what steps have been taken to pay compensation to the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, as indicated under the 1920 Act; and whether it is his intention to bring before Parliament proposals for compensation in the form of a gratuity?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe pensions that will be granted to the Royal Irish Constabulary on disbandment will be those laid down in the 9th Schedule of the Act of 1920 for officers and constables who are removed or are required to retire. It is proposed at an early date to introduce a Bill to give effect to these terms. An application has been received from the representative bodies of the Force for some improvement in the terms in the form of a cash payment, in addition to pension. No decision has been reached in regard to this application.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that men who joined the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1920 and 1921, and who were under the impression that they were undertaking a life's career, have been dismissed with a pension of 18s. a week; that these men who risked their lives in the service of their country, whilst not entitled to the 1732W unemployed donation, are placed in a position comparable to that of the unemployed who have not given such service; and whether he will consider the desirability of allowing pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary to commute their pensions to 10 years commutation?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODMen who joined the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1920 or 1921, when the Government of Ireland Act was either before this House or had passed into law, cannot reasonably have entertained any such impression as that imputed to them by the hon. and gallant Member. These men are now entitled to pensions for life, ranging from 18s. a week in the case of men with less than six months' service to 21s. a week in the case of those with from 18 months' to two years' service. I do not fully understand the suggestion in the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, and I would remind him that in the majority of cases, a right to commute is of very doubtful value to a pensioner; but the question whether commutation can be allowed under certain conditions and for certain specified purposes is at present under consideration.