§ 46. Mr. BYRNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue instructions to make the extra 2s 6d. in the old ago pension granted recently payable to all old age pensioners without distinction; if he is aware that thousands of people have been deprived of the increase owing to the objections of some pensions officers stating that the claimants were not deserving although their cases were carefully considered and found deserving when they were being awarded the 5s. pension; if he will see that these people are not victimised by officials; and if he will say when the Government propose to grant another increase in the pension?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have promised to make a statement on the subject of the 2s. 6d. allowance on Monday next in reply to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring.
§ 16. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the number of old age pensioners in Ireland who have been granted an addition to their pensions to meet the increased cost of living, and the total cost to the Treasury represented by this increase?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)The number of additional allowances payable to old age pensioners in Ireland on the 30th March, 1917, the latest date for which figures are available, was 120,412, at a yearly cost of £737,457.