§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary when an appeal to the Local Government Board for Ireland against an old age pension voted by a pension committee fully conversant with the case is supported by allegations which have never been before the committee; whether a decision on the appeal is withheld until the opinion of the committee on the allegations is obtained; and, if not, will he say by what authority the Board decide a case on allegations never considered by the committee?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWhen an appeal is made against the decision of a pension 53W committee, the claim or question stands referred to the Local Government Board under Section 7 (1) (c) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, and it rests with the Board to take such steps as they see fit to determine the claim or question. Where it is found desirable to obtain the opinion of the committee the Local Government Board do so.