§ Mr. DORISasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will cause directions to be given to the Registrar-General, Somerset House, that the English Census Schedules of 1851 may be searched for evidence of age by or on behalf of Irish-born claimants for old age pensions who resided in England in 1851, and who have no other means of establishing their age qualifications for pensions, as there was no statutory registration of births in Ireland until 1864, or that certified extracts from the schedules may 1041 be issued to such claimants on payment of fees or stamp duties at the rates charged in similar cases by the Deputy-Keeper of Public Records in Ireland?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I have brought the hon. Member's suggestion under the notice of the Registrar-General and of the Treasury, who are considering the matter.
§ Mr. DORISAnd are poor people entitled to pensions to remain without them because evidence of their right to them is locked up in Somerset House?
§ Mr. HACKETTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that Mrs. Keavey, Ballyknockin, Templetoughy, was allowed an old age pension by the Templemore pension sub-committee, county Tipperary, N.R., and that the Local Government Board determined, on appeal by the pension officer, that she was not entitled to a pension; whether the Local Government Board were aware that Mrs. Keavey was supported by her sister when they determined that she was not entitled to a pension; and would he take steps to have this pension granted?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)When determining Mrs. Keavey's case the Local Government Board were aware that she lives with her sister on a farm of fifty acres. Claimant had also some money in the bank, and altogether the Board were of opinion that her means exceeded the statutory limit. The Board have no power to reopen the case.