§ Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that within the past few months hundreds of poor persons have, after a few months' enjoyment of them, been struck off the list of old age pensioners in county Longford; whether in the case of doubtful age it is now ordered that evidence of a proved older person cannot be received as satisfactory corroboration of applicant's statement; and whether any special instructions have been given to the Local Government Board to confirm in all cases the objection of the local pension officer?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that cases have occurred in county Longford in which pensions have been discontinued, but I cannot say what the total number of such cases has been. The reply to each of the remaining portions of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. FARRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to ask the Local Government Board to take evidence of the age from persons older than the persons claiming? For instance, the English Local Government Board took evidence from a sampler in possession of a woman to show her age, but in the case of Ireland the Local Government Board will not take the age of living persons.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member is quite mistaken there. The Local Government Board are perfectly ready to consider any trustworthy evidence.
§ Mr. FLAVINMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman why the Local Government Board will not give any information as to the grounds for the reduction or the refusal of old age pensions?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere is no reason why they should give the grounds for refusal.
§ Mr. FARRELLAre these matters dealt with by a Committee of the Local Government Board, or by the Local Government Board itself?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThey are dealt with by a Committee of the Local Government Board.
§ Mr. CULLINANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not the fact that the decisions in these cases are decided by clerks to whom a certain number of applications are sent?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI can assure the hon. Member that the Local Government Board take the greatest possible pains in the consideration of these cases.
§ Mr. FARRELLMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman himself, as President of the Local Government Board, has ever been consulted in these cases?
§ Mr. BIRRELLOh, yes, I have.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman state what is the Local Government Board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo.
§ NEW MEMBER SWORN.—Sir David Brynmor Jones, for Swansea District.