§ Mr. DANIEL BOYLEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the claim for an old age pension of Michael Loftus, Carralavin, in the Ballina pension district, county Mayo, was disallowed on appeal by the Local Government Board; is he aware that the pension officer recommended Loftus to the local pensions committee for a pension of 3s. per week; in view of such recommendation, will he say why the pension was wholly disallowed on appeal; and, if on the grounds of income, on what information was the decision arrived at, and by whom supplied.
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)Two claims by Michael Loftus have come before the Local Government Board. On the first occasion the pension officer recommended a pension of 3s., and the local pension committee awarded 5s., but on appeal the Board disallowed the claim on the ground that the means of Loftus derived from a holding of seventeen acres exceeded the statutory limit. On the second occasion the pension officer recommended no pension, and the committee allowed 3s., but the Board disallowed the claim on the same ground as before. The Board made their estimate of means on the basis of a list of the stock and crops on the farm, concerning which there was no dispute.