§ Mr. CARLILEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will instruct the local pension committee concerned to reconsider its decision to refuse an old age pension in the case of Mrs. Boland, of the Stables, Oak Hill Park, New Southgate, who forty-nine years ago married a German subject, but who has never been out of England, has brought up five children on her earnings from her employment as a charwoman, and is in need of the assistance that the pension would supply?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI have no authority to instruct the local pension committee as to the decision to be given on any claim which comes before them. I understand that Mrs. Boland's case is now before the Local Government Board on appeal.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Chief Secretary whether an old age pension granted by the local sub-committee to Mrs. Mary M'Bride, of Derrybrick, county Fermanagh, was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the grounds that they were not satisfied with the evidence that she was of the statutory age; and whether, having regard to the statutory declaration made by John Brown before Mr. John M'Hugh, J.P., that to his certain knowledge Mrs. Brown is seventy-four year old, he will ask the Local Government Board to reconsider their decision?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI am aware that the Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the pension officer on the ground that the evidence submitted was not sufficient to prove that Mrs. McBride had reached the statutory age. The Board have no knowledge of the statutory declaration now referred to, and in any event, they have no authority to reconsider their decision. If Mrs. McBride considers she has now sufficient evidence to prove that she has attained the statutory age it is open to her to make a fresh claim.