HC Deb 09 February 1911 vol 21 cc423-5
Mr. SCANLAN

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention had been called to the claim of Mrs. Farrell, of Carrowloughan, Skreen, county Sligo, to an old age pension, and to the fact that her claim was supported by certificate showing her oldest child was over fifty-one years, and by the evidence of two old persons in the district, whose age in each case is over seventy years according to the Census, and who state that they know the claimant to be over seventy years of age; and, whether, in these circumstances, the Local Government Board would order her pension to be paid with arrears?

Mr. BIRRELL

Mrs. Farrell's claim was supported by the certificate of the birth of her first child in May, 1860, and in the opinion of two old persons was over 70 years of age, but the Local Government Board were not satisfied with the evidence, and her claim was therefore disallowed.

Mr. SCANLAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate what evidence, in the absence of written evidence will satisfy the Local Government Board so as to establish this woman's claim?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have already stated that it is impossible for me to say a priori what evidence the Local Government Board will be satisfied with to establish anybody's claim, but if the hon. Member has any evidence upon which rational people could act we will act?

Mr. SCANLAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Local Government Board in England and Scotland are in the habit of acting upon such evidence as that indicated in this question and giving the pension to people whose age is so vouched for?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am quite satisfied the Local Government in Ireland is at least as lax in these matters as anybody else.

Mr. HAYDEN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he could state the reasons why an old age pension of 4s. a week was withdrawn from a man named Michael Shine, of Curraghnaboll, Athlone, although the Athlone (No. 2) Sub-committee (Roscommon) were satisfied that the man was 75 years of age, and that his means and circumstances were such that he would be entitled to the full pension of 5s. a week; and whether, in view of these facts he would direct that the pension be restored to this man?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Local Government Board disallowed Shine's pension in November, 1909, as they considered that his means exceeded the statutory limit. The matter came before the Board on the Pension Officer's appeal against a decision of the local Pension Sub-committee, on a question raised by Michael Shine with a view to having his pension increased from 4s. to 5s. a week. It has now, however, been decided in the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in Ireland that a decision disallowing a pension altogether is in such circumstances ultra vires, and the Board have therefore already recommended the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to restore the pension of 4s. a week as from the date on which it was stopped.