§ Mr. ARTHUR LYNCHasked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether Patrick Behan, of Doonaha East, county Clare, has been in receipt of a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act; whether that pension has been disallowed in accordance with the recommendation of the pension officer; whether he is aware that the Reverend P. Glynn, of Carrigaholt, signed a statement 1838 to the effect that he was satisfied that Patrick Behan was more than 70 years of age; and whether, in view of the facts stated, he will direct that the pension be allowed?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)The pension granted has not been disallowed. The case is at present under appeal to the Local Government Board, with whom the decision rests on the question raised by the pension officer.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LYNCHasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he was aware that Mrs. Maria Burns, of Labasheeda, county Clare, has been in receipt of a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act, and that the pension has been discontinued; whether he would state the reason for that discontinuance; whether he was aware that local testimony is available to prove that Maria Burns was 23 years of age at the time of her marriage 48 years ago; and whether he would, in view of these facts, direct that the pension shall be again accorded to Mrs. Burns?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThis pensioner was found to be only seven years old in the census of 1851, and was accordingly disqualified by the Local Government Board on a question raised by the pension officer. I have no power to interfere with that decision.