§ 50. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to a meeting of the Kerry old age pension committee in reference to the resignation of the Ardfert pension committee; whether he agrees with the views of pension officers as therein stated regarding means of applicants for old age pensions; whether officers have been given any instruction from headquarters as to the manner in which they are to estimate means; and whether, in view of the conduct of pension officers in this matter, he will have a sworn inquiry with a view to ascertaining the real facts?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have seen a newspaper report of the proceedings of a meeting of the Kerry old age pension committee on the 13th instant, to which the hon. Member no doubt refers. I understand that the Local Government Board, whose decision is final, agreed with the pension officers in the cases in question that the value of maintenance and other privilege enjoyed by the claimants exceeded £31 10s. per annum. There does not appear to me to be any necessity for an inquiry of the kind suggested.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the report by which these officers arrived at their estimate?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, I asked the hon. Member to furnish me with figures when he put a similar question a few weeks ago, and he has not yet furnished them.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman hold with these officers, who appear to think that a farmer in Ireland has no right to give his farm to his son when he is about to die?
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the right hon. Gentleman give the Irish Members any information as to the basis—the cost of living and so on—on which this estimate was based, and whether it was made by the pension officers or the Local Government Board?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI would ask my 3 hon. Friend to put that question down.
§ Mr. FLAVINI have asked that supplementary question a dozen times.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI did not ask the hon. Member for a supplementary question, but to put it on the Paper.
§ Mr. FLAVINI will do so.