§ Mr. JAMES O'KELLYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, what steps are being taken to enable claimants for pensions whose names do not appear in the 1841 or 1851 Census, and who are unable to produce documentary proof of age, to make good their claims to be pensioned; and why is the testimony of clergymen and other reputable persons rejected?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY of the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)Neither the Old Age Pensions Act nor the Regulations impose upon any Public Department the duty of taking steps to enable applicants to establish their claims to pensions, and judging from the number of persons who have been successful in Ireland, the septuagenarians seem to be little in need of assistance in the matter. I understand that the testimony of clergymen and other reputable persons is only deemed to be insufficient when it is merely based upon personal opinion unsupported by evidence or facts.