HC Deb 23 September 1909 vol 11 cc588-9
Mr. ARTHUR LYNCH

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what evidence is regarded as sufficient to establish a claim for an old age pension; whether any evidence independent of the Census of 1841 or that of 1851 is considered adequate to that purpose; and would the testimony of persons of good standing in the district of the applicant be accepted in support of such claim?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Redmond Barry)

If the hon. Member refers to the last Annual Report of the Local Government Board, which was presented to Parliament on 10th August this year, he will find at pages 11 and 12 of the Report a statement of the practice of the Local Government Board in relation to evidence of age on the hearing of pension appeals. The testimony of any person in a position to give reliable evidence of a claimant's age would be admissible in support of a claim.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Why does the Local Government Board not receive testimony that the applicants are over 70 years of age?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

The evidence of any person who is in a position to give reliable evidence will be acceptable.

Mr. MacNEILL

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the rules of evidence in regard to age in these cases are quite different from those in courts of justice?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member should give notice of that.

Mr. ARTHUR LYNCH

In a case where there is variance between the recommendation of the pension officer and the pension committee, in view of the highly representative character of the pensions committee, would their recommendation be accepted in preference to that of the pension officer?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

The hon. Member must be aware that the Local Government Board consider the matter on their own responsibility.

Mr. JOYCE

If a sworn deposition is made as to the probable age of an applicant by a reliable authority, will it not be accepted by the Local Government Board?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

The Local Government Board are themselves made the judges of what is satisfactory evidence, and the responsibility must be left to them.