HC Deb 09 September 1914 vol 66 cc578-9
10. Mr. FLAVIN

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state on what grounds John Carroll, Lerig, Ardfert, was refused an old age pension by the Local Government Board of Ireland which the local pension committee granted after full and careful inquiry?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

This man has not been refused a pension, but an application for the increase of his pension from 2s. to 5s. a week was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the 18th July, on the ground that his means were such as to debar him from the pension at the higher rate.

Mr. FLAVIN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the Local Government Board estimated were the means of this man?

Mr. BIRRELL

That is the point. It was decided that his means were sufficient to debar him from a larger pension.

Mr. FLAVIN

Is the right hon. Gentle-man or the Local Government Board aware that this man has no means what ever?

Mr. BIRRELL

On the contrary, I feel quite sure he has.