§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to have the amending Old Age Pensions Act carried into law this year?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI hope this measure may receive the Royal Assent before the House rises.
§ Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that James O'Rourke and his wife Margaret O'Rourke, of Conrea, Rossinver, county Leitrim, who had been in receipt of the old age pension for over twelve months have, on appeal, been deprived of the same, on the ground that their names could not be traced in the Census of 1841 or 1851; and whether, having regard to the fact that these people produced certificates of their ages from the parish priest and the medical doctor of the district, together with several certificates from old people, their applications would be reconsidered; and, if not, when would they become eligible, as they can procure no better or more reliable evidence?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The pension of James O'Rourke was discontinued in July, 1910, on the ground that he had failed to prove he had attained the statutory age. The Local Government Board did not decide the case until one of their inspectors had visited O'Rourke. Margaret O'Rourke's pension was disallowed in May, 1910. The certificates referred to did not, in the opinion of the Board, afford sufficient proof that the pensioners had reached the statutory age. It is not in the Board's power to reconsider their decisions.