HC Deb 12 July 1909 vol 7 c1639
Mr. FRANCIS MEEHAN

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state on what grounds, respectively, the following named persons, resident in the Manor-hamilton, county Leitrim, old age pension committee district, were deprived of their pensions: Mary M'Cann, Glencar; Catherine Clancy, Glencar; James Rooney, Glencar; Margaret Haste, Cloonaquin; and Francis Mooney, Glenaiff; whether their names appear on the Census Returns; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Census Returns have been proved to be incorrect and unreliable as evidence of ages in Ireland, such people would be afforded an opportunity of proving their ages through right of appeal or by filing a new application?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Charles Hobhouse)

The names of the persons in question were submitted to the Record Office, Dublin, for verification of age, with the result that each was found to be under the statutory age. A question was then raised by the pension officer, but was disallowed by the local pension committee. On appeal, however, the Local Government Board disqualified the pensioners, and their decision is final.