§ 20. Mr. LARDNERasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on 22nd March, 1912, John Alexander Graham was admitted to the Monaghan union hospital as a patient from the Blind Institute, Dublin, and that at that date he was in receipt of an old age pension which was continued to be paid him till the 14th June, when, in common with the pensions paid 2463 to other inmates in the union hospital, payment was discontinued by the pensions authority, but, on appeal to the Local Government Board, all the pensions were restored except Graham's; and will he now direct the payment of the pension to be made from that date, and state under what circumstances payment was discontinued?
§ Mr. RUSSELLGraham's pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that he was in receipt of disqualifying Poor Law relief. The Board have no power to reopen consideration of this case or to direct that payment of the pension may be resumed. The Board have no means from the statement in the question of identifying the other cases referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LARDNERWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the law in Ireland that a blind man, an invalid, over seventy years of age, who goes into a union hospital, is disqualified for the pension?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI am not prepared to give any opinion as to the state of the law on the subject. My hon. Friend had better consult the Chief Secretary.
§ Mr. LARDNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is not the law in England?