HC Deb 09 July 1914 vol 64 cc1210-2
12. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the particulars of the means alleged by the pension officer to be possessed by Mrs. Anne Reilly, of Fermore Street, Westmeath, to whom the local sub-committee have granted an old age pension; and whether the Local Government Board will have the estimate revised by a competent person before adjudicating on the inspector's report?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Local Government Board are unable to trace that any appeal has been received in this case.

40. Mr. BARNES

asked the Secretary for Scotland if the Local Government Board have sustained an appeal by the pension officer of Dairy, Ayrshire, against the granting of a pension to Mrs. Janet Fairns by the sub-committee at Barkip, Dairy; that Mr. Fairns has a daughter over fifty-three years of age; that there are many in the district who can testify to her being at least seventy years old; and if he will cause further inquiry to be made and so prevent injustice being done on mere technical grounds to this woman?

The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)

The Local Government Board sustained the appeal in question on the documentary evidence of the Census Returns of 1851 and of the claimant's marriage certificate, both of which indicate that she has not yet attained the age of seventy. No information as to the age of her daughter was furnished to the Board. The decision of the Board on an appeal is final. Accordingly, if the claimant desires to bring forward any further evidence, her only course is to lodge a new claim.

97. Mr. ALBERT SMITH

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can see his way to advise the pension officer at Colne, Lancashire, to supply the pension committee of the borough of Colne with the following information which has hitherto been supplied to them, and to which they attach importance, namely, the number of deaths of pensioners in the borough during the year ending 31st March last, and the number of removals of pensioners into and out of the borough, together with the number of pensions payable on the 31st March, 1914?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Montagu)

There are no Regulations or statutory obli- gations imposing on pension officers the considerable labour which would be entailed by compliance with requests from pension committees for the information asked for in the question, but my right hon. Friend is considering the matter.