§ Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Denis Keaney, Meehil, of Kiltyclagher, county Leitrim, was deprived of his old age pension; and whether, having regard to the fact that his name was found in the Census of 1841, being then over one year old, and being now a poor man, he would recommend that his pension be restored?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)The Local Government Board decided on the 11th instant on appeal to them on a question of age of Denis Keaney that he attained the age of seventy on the 1st instant. The amount of pension drawn prior to his attaining the statutory age is a debt to the Crown under Section 9 (2) of the Old Age Pensions Act, and in the absence of direct repayment the debt is being liquidated by suspension of the current pension until the account is adjusted.
§ Mr. SCANLANIs the House to understand that the Treasury maintain the right to retain the amount due to the pensioners in order to recoup themselves for money already advanced?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEYes, Sir, that is so.
§ Mr. SCANLANUnder what Section of the Act?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEUnder the general law.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the arrears of pension from 1st January, 1909, to 1st July, 1909, at the rate of 5s. per week, will be paid to Mrs. Rouse, of Carus, county Sligo?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have not yet got the figures. If the hon. Member will put an unstarred question I could perhaps send him the answer during the Recess.