§ 18. Sir JOHN DEWARasked the Secretary for Scotland why the old age pensions to Robina Nicolson and Elizabeth Cruickshank, at Causa, Nethy Bridge, have been withdrawn; and if he will have this matter reconsidered?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI am informed that the old age pensions referred to were withdrawn on the ground that the old age pensioners were in receipt of parochial relief, inasmuch as they were occupying, at a nominal rent, houses owned by the parish council on behalf of the poor. It is not competent to reconsider the decision, but if there is a change in the circumstances the persons referred to may apply again, when the case will be considered in the light of the then existing conditions.
§ 54. Mr. MACPHERSONasked how many male and how many female old age pensioners there are in Ross and Cromarty; and what aggregate sum was distributed for old age pensions to them last year?
Mr. BENNThe number of old age pensioners resident in Ross and Cromarty on the last Friday of March, 1912, was 4,442, 1,694 males and 2,748 females. The aggregate sum distributed to these pensioners is not ascertainable. As regards the year 1912–13, I would ask the hon. Member to await the issue of the Report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for that year. The Report will contain a table showing the number of pensioners (male and female) in each county and county borough area on the last Friday of March, 1913, together with an estimate (necessarily only a rough one) of the total amount paid for pensions in the area during the year.