§ Mr. O'SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the pension granted to Mary Murphy, of Newquarter, Greeveguilla, county Kerry, was disallowed on appeal by the Local Government Board; whether the Board, in coming to this decision, were aware of the fact that she has a certificate showing that she was married 54 years ago and also a certi- 1426W ficate of her eldest child showing the same to be 53 years old; whether, under these circumstances, and recognising the inaccuracy of the Census returns, her case would be reconsidered and her pension allowed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMrs. Murphy furnished no marriage certificate, as alleged, but informed the Local Government Board that the register of marriages was not in existence. The baptismal certificate furnished shows that her eldest child would now be only about 50 years and 6 months old, not 53 as stated. Mrs. Murphy was not found as a member of her parents' family in the Census Return of 1841, while in 1851 her age was recorded as 8 years. In these circumstances the Board were not satisfied that she had attained the age of 70 years, and they disallowed her pension accordingly. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary why the decision of the Ballinamush pension committee granting a pension of 5s. a week to Philip Quinn, of Aghadowry, county Longford, which was paid to him for five months, had now been cancelled and the pension withdrawn; whether he was aware that Quinn was paralysed and suffering from senile imbecility for seven years; and would he now direct that this man's case be reconsidered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLPhilip Quinn's pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board in July, 1909, on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit; and a second claim was disallowed for the same reason in October, 1909. No further claim has come before the Board, who have no power to reconsider their decisions.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that any recent instructions have been issued to pension officers in Ireland directing them to be more inquisitorial in their inquiries into old age pensioners' right to be paid; whether he is aware that in county Longford recently there have been five cases of old persons who, after having pensions given them almost from the start, have now had their books taken up and their former payments stopped, and this in opposition to the decision of the local pension committee in each case that they were entitled to this payment; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo such instructions as are described in the first part of the 1427W question have been issued. As regards the five cases mentioned in the second part of the question I shall be pleased to make inquiries if the hon. Member will furnish me with the names and addresses of the persons concerned.