HC Deb 14 November 1912 vol 43 cc2066-7
25. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

asked on what ground the Local Government Board upheld the decision of the pension officer in the appeal from the decision of the Ballingarry, county Limerick, sub-committee awarding Michael Hallinan, of Rylands, Rathkeale, a pension of 4s. per week; and whether, if it were on the ground of income, the Chief Secretary will state how the Local Government Board made out that applicant's income was over £31 10s. a year, having regard to the fact that he has only his board and lodging it his son-in-law's house, and had it years before the Old Age Pension Act was passed?

Mr. BIRRELL

Michael Hallinan lives with his son-in-law on a farm of sixty-five acres, which carries about twenty-two cows. The son-in-law is a creamery manager, for which he receives £125 a year, and, taking all the circumstances into account, claimant's maintenance on the farm appeared to the Local Government Board to be clearly worth more than £.31 10s. a year.