§ 8. Mr. O'LEARYasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the reasons for the delay in granting an old age pension to Jeremiah Harrington, of Coorycullane, Glengarriffe, county Cork; and whether, having regard to the fact that this man has no means outside the grazing of a cow under an agreement with his son and that he is too poor to purchase a cow, he will see that an old age pension is granted to him forthwith?
§ Mr. DUKENo appeal appears to have come before the Local Government Board recently in the case of Jeremiah Harrington, of Coorycullane, Glengarriffe, county Cork, and I have, therefore, no information on the subject.
43. Captain BERTRAND WATSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will take steps to provide that in ascertaining the income of applicants for old age pensions amounts received as charitable gifts from relatives or otherwise are in future to be disregarded?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)Under the Old Age Pensions Acts account must be taken of the means of a claimant from every source, inclusive of charitable gifts from relatives or otherwise, and I am unable to recommend amending legislation.
§ Mr. WINGDo I understand that the recent concession made that a sum up to 5s. for charitable gifts would be allowed is being done away with? The hon. Gentleman gave me an assurance on that point some time ago in a printed answer.
§ Mr. BALDWINThe question refers to applicants for new pensions.