HC Deb 26 July 1934 vol 292 cc1923-4
24. Mr. WHITESIDE

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in March, 1933, Mr. T. Burns, of 12, Mackenzie Street, Towngate, Leeds, applied for a pension, under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908–24; that the Ministry accept the gross figures given by Mr. Burns as his earnings; that they accept the figures he quotes for bad debts, wages, rent and repairs, but refuse to accept the figures of 18s. lid. per week as the cost of feeding a 17-hands carthorse; that, as a result, they assess his net earnings as £100 14s. 8d.; on what grounds they dispute the figure of 18s. 11d. per week; and whether he will inquire into the case in order that, if Mr. Burns is not eligible for a full pension of 10s. per week, he may be awarded a smaller sum?

Sir H. YOUNG

I apologise for the length of the answer. Yes, Sir. Mr. Burns appealed against a decision of the local pension committee that he was not entitled to a pension on the ground of means. His appeal was considered carefully and in detail, and it was decided in June last to uphold the committee's decision. As my hon. Friend has been informed, although Mr. Burns had been advised on the occasion of a previous claim to keep a record of the expenses of his business, he was unable on this occasion to produce evidence rebutting the figures obtained locally as to the cost of keeping a horse. The decision on that claim is in law final, but it is open to him to make a fresh claim. Should the case come before me on appeal, any fresh evidence will be considered, but pending an appeal I have no jurisdiction in the matter.

Mr. WHITESIDE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local pension committee granted Burns a pension of 10s. per week in May, 1933, but that the local pensions officer appealed against this decision and won the case; and did the Minister dismiss the application of Burns solely on the report of that officer?

Sir H. YOUNG

No Sir, certainty not. There is a difficulty in dealing with this matter in answer to a supplementary question, because it is outside my jurisdiction and can only be raised by a further appeal.

Mr. WHITESIDE

Would the right hon. Gentleman be willing to allow me to see the entire correspondence which has passed?