HC Deb 20 March 1917 vol 92 cc604-5
7. Mr. DUFFY

asked the Chief Secretary if he will explain on what basis of calculation the Local Government Board refused to grant an additional allowance of 2s. 6d. to an old age pensioner named James Casey, of Loughatorick, Loughrea; is he aware that this man is eighty years of age, has no home of his own, and is sheltered as an act of charity by an old age pensioner; and whether, seeing that the Loughrea pension sub-committee, having all the facts before them, on two different occasions awarded him the additional allowance of 2s. 6d., the Local Government Board will dispatch an officer to investigate the facts on the spot?

Mr. DUKE

As the hon. Member was informed by the Local Government Board on the 12th instant, the case of James Casey, of Loughatorick Moyglass, Loughrea, has again been under consideration, but as the circumstances have not altered since the previous decision that he was not entitled to the additional allowance of 2s. 6d. a week the Board could not entertain the appeal.

Mr. DUFFY

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me the basis on which the calculation is made?

Mr. DUKE

The hon. Member will not expect me to have in my mind the domestic circumstances of James Casey. Certain rules are applied in these cases. I made inquiry of the Local Government Board, and I am satisfied that they have taken the same measures in Casey's case as in all others.

22. Mr. DORIS

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state upon what grounds the Local Government Board disallowed an increase of 2s, 6d. per week of the old age pension of Thomas Hoban, Ellison Street, Castlebar, county Mayo, which was awarded to him by Castlebar (No. 1) Pension Sub-committee on being satisfied that he and his wife, who is not an old age pensioner, were suffering special hardship owing to the War; and can he give details of the pension officer's estimate of Hoban's income representing it as exceeding 19s. 6d. per week?

Mr. DUKE

The Local Government Board disallowed the application of Thomas Hoban and his wife for the additional allowances on the ground that the pensioner's means exceeded 19s. 6d. a week.

Mr. DORIS

I asked for details of the 1916 income because I am convinced there is nothing of the kind.

Mr. DUKE

I will send them to the hon. Member.