§ Mr. FELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the low death rate among the old age pensioners in Ireland compared with the death rate among the pensioners in England, Scotland, or Wales; and if the Treasury authorities have any information to the effect that this is owing to some extent to the average age of the pensioners in Ireland being less than the average age in England?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt appears to be the fact that the death rate among Irish pensioners is lower than that in England or 2012 Scotland, but it would be unsafe to draw any general inference from this fact, having regard to the short period for which the Old Age Pensions Act has been in force.
§ Mr. FELLWith regard to the reply, may I ask did not previous answers given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer show that there was doubt as to the ages of these, and is not that primâ facie evidence they are younger?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI do not think it is.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLWhy do they live so long at all?