asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a claim for pension from Mr. Martin Clarke, Newvillage, Mountbellew, Co. Galway, who resigned from the R.I.C. on the 10th August, 1918; if his claim has yet been considered by the Committee which deals with these claims, and if not whether he will, in view of the poor circumstances of the claimant, see that investigation is expedited.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - RESIGNED R.I.C. MEN'S CLAIMS.
No such claim was presented to the Committee of Inquiry. Ample opportunity was given to all possible applicants for pension to submit their claims for investigation and consideration by the Committee which sat from December, 1922, to July, 1923. The Minister for Finance will not entertain any claim other than those which have been examined by the Committee.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the reason of the refusal of a pension to Mr. John P. McHale, at present residing at 17 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast, who resigned from the R.I.C. in 1918.
The evidence submitted to the Committee of Inquiry in connection with Mr. McHale's application was insufficient to enable it to reach a definite decision when making its final report to Government in July, 1923. Since that date some further evidence has been received, which will be considered in due course by the Minister for Finance in accordance with his recent decision.