§ Mr. HUNT (for Mr. Joynson-Hicks)asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the refusal of an old age pension to Elijah Greathead, of Manchester, on the ground that he has spent 3½ years out of 72 years in America; and, if so, whether such refusal has his sanction?
§ Mr. BURNSMy attention has been called to this case, but I have not received any appeal from the decision of the local pension committee with regard to it. I am doubtful whether the time for an appeal has not expired, but I am making inquiry on the subject. The decision of the Committee does not require my sanction. In the absence of an appeal it is final and conclusive. I may add that one of the statutory conditions for a pension is that during the past 20 years the claimant shall have had his residence as denned by the regulations under the Act in the United Kingdom. If in this instance the absence of the claimant in America for 3½ years occurred during the last 20 years and throughout his absence his home was not in the United Kingdom, it would appear that the condition referred to has not been satisfied.