§ 37. Mr. GINNELLasked the Home Secretary the grounds upon which Mrs. Winifred Kiernan, of Clonrobert, Coole, Westmeath, a confirmed invalid, has been deprived of her old age pension, no change having occurred in her circum-stances but that of increasing age and infirmity; and, if the Government disapprove of economy at the expense of the aged poor, whether the pension will be resumed in this case and the instalments withheld made good?
Mr. SAMUELThe pension granted to Mrs. Winifred Kiernan was discontinued because the Local Government Board were not satisfied that the pensioner's means did not exceed £31 10s. a year. She is maintained by her son on a farm of 78 acres, of which the rent is £35 and the valuation £53 10s. The farm is well stocked and cropped, and is probably worth £120 a year at least. Mrs. Kiernan is entitled to maintenance under the deed by which her late husband transferred the farm to his son.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the 206 question, asking whether any change whatever has taken place in her circumstances other than that of increased age?
Mr. SAMUELI am not aware of any, but I am informed that if the facts now known had been known at the time the pension was granted, it would not have been granted.