HC Deb 20 April 1910 vol 16 cc2076-7
Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY

asked in how many cases have refunds been claimed in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland under the Old Age Pensions Act from persons who were deprived of pensions; and what are the amounts recovered in the respective countries?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)

I regret that the statistics asked for by the hon. Member are not available, and I do not think it would be desirable to have them specially prepared, in view of the fact that a Departmental Committee, now sitting, is inquiring into the question as to what old age pension statistics it is desirable to publish.

Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY

What was done with the moneys refunded?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I have explained that a Committee is sitting which will determine the statistics in connection with old age pensions, which it is desirable and necessary to make public. Until the Committee has reported I do not think I can answer the question.

Mr. O'DOWD

Have any sums at all been recovered from persons who have received pensions which have been improperly paid?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

That is so, but I do not know what the amounts are.

Mr. JOHN O'DONNELL

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that the pension clerks in the county of Galway who have been acting for old age pension committees since the Act came into operation have only received an instalment of the fees due to them for the period ending 30th June last; and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to have the outstanding balances paid forthwith?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

When the June accounts for county Galway were received, early in August, 1909, the number of claims and questions charged for by the clerks to the sub-committees was in excess of that certified by the pension officers to have been dealt with. A payment on account was made at the end of August, and the clerk to the committee was requested to inquire into the discrepancy, and send particulars of the adjustments necessary to bring the two sets of figures into agreement, upon receipt of which particulars the balances due to the clerks would be paid. These particulars have not yet been received, though the Clerk has recently been reminded of them, and the June balances are, therefore, still unpaid. The accounts for the September and December quarters have been paid.