§ Mr. GWYNNasked whether, in the matter of old age pensions, the Local Government Board is not bound to accept the recommendations of a pension committee unless proof can be furnished that the applicant is not entitled to a pension; or whether it is open to the Local Government Board, where documentary proof is not forthcoming, to accept the opinion of the pension officer as against the decision of the committee?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board can only intervene when a pension officer or claimant appeals against the decision of a pension committee, and it is obvious that the Board cannot be bound by the decision which they are called on to review. It is open to them to accept any recommendation or opinion of either pension committee or pension officer which appears to have a sufficient basis of fact.