§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any new instructions have been issued to pension officers in Ireland to hunt up evidence against persons in receipt of old age pensions in that country who have been enjoying the same for two or three years past; whether he is aware that for months past showers of appeals have been falling in all parts of the country, resulting in a great number of old people who had got these pensions being now deprived of them; whether this is being done as part of a policy to reduce the cost of old age pensioners in Ireland; and, if not, will he direct that persons legally and validly in receipt of such pensions for years will not now be annoyed and harassed in this way?
§ Mr. MASTERMANXo such instructions have been issued. It is part of the ordinary duties of pension officers to direct the attention of pension committees to any case where a pensioner is in receipt of a pension, to which, having regard to the statutory conditions, he appears to be not entitled. I am not aware to what extent this action by pension officers has resulted in the revocation of a pension by the pension committees or the Local Government Board; but I cannot give any directions which would involve the continuance of pensions in cases in which the conditions laid down in the Old Age Pensions Acts may no longer be fulfilled.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLalso asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the reason which determined the Local Government Board to strike off James Roddis, Corclaragh, county Longford, Ballinalee sub-pension district, from the pension which he had been enjoying from 1909; whether he is aware that this poor old man is seventy years of age and is living in a small house in which his son with a large family have only a little country roadside shop to live upon; whether he is aware that Roddis's son is the tenant of the small farm attached and his name is on the receipt issued by the Land Commission; and whether, as the policy of the Old Age Pensions Act was to brighten the declining days of such old people, he will direct that this man's case be reheard and the pension restored to him?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis man's pension was disallowed by the Local Government1932W Board on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit. The farm referred to, which comprised thirteen acres of good land, belonged to claimant, and was only transferred by him to his son in May, 1909, after the passing of the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908; and the means derived from it would exceed £31 10s. a year. When the question was being decided the Board did not take into account the means derived from the shop. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision in the matter.