§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury what was the population of England and Ireland, respectively, in the year 1841; and what relation does the present number of old age pensions given in each country bear to their respective populations in 1841?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe population of England (excluding Wales) in 1841 was in round figures 14,955,500 and that of Ireland 8,175,000. The number of old age pensions payable on the 31st March last was, England, 626,753; Ireland, 203,036.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary what capital may a claimant for an old age pension have before he is disentitled to receive a pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 2 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1911.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether the Local Government Board in estimating the means of applicants for old age pensions do not base their calculations on the cost of the food, clothing, and other benefits enjoyed by the applicant, but on an entirely novel basis of the standard of comfort in the house in which the applicant is maintained; and whether he will explain why, in view of the provisions of the Act, this calculation is based, not on what the applicant himself has or is legally entitled to as provided in the legal assignment, but on what his son or daughter may have?
1874W
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board's calculations of means are made in accordance with the terms of Section 2 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1911. As I have frequently pointed out, it devolves on the Board to take into consideration not only the actual reservations specified in the deeds of assignment, but, also all the other benefits and privileges enjoyed by a claimant by virture of his residence on the farm which he had assigned.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that it was the common custom of Irish farmers, long before the passing of the Old Age Pensions Act, to assign their farms to their children on approaching the age of seventy, reserving very slight benefits for themselves; whether the Local Government Board now refuse to grant pensions in any such cases except the applicant was, on transferring his farm, bedridden or suffering from some mental or physical infirmity; whether, as stated by them, Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act compels them to take this course; and whether the Local Government Board holds that men over seventy are fit to carry out properly all the difficult work connected with the management of a farm and should not allow their sons to marry till they themselves die?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that it has been the custom for a long time past for the eldest sons to assume nominal ownership of the farms either on marriage or when the heads of the families are advanced in years. If marriages are arranged and farms transferred with the object of securing pensions for the owners, the Old Age Pensions Act expressly precludes the old people from securing any advantage by the transfers. No fixed rule can be laid down as to the ability of men over seventy years of age to work on their farms, and each case has to be treated on its merits.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a statement from the Kerry County Council protesting against the methods adopted by the Local Government Board in awarding old age pensions; and whether, seeing the dissatisfaction that prevails, both as to estimating means and as to bonâ-fide assignments of land, he will order a sworn inquiry by a competent officer into the whole matter?
1875W
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have received the statement referred to. As I have already informed the hon. Member, there does not appear to be any necessity for a public inquiry into this matter.
Dr. O'NEILLasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Mr. Patrick M'Dermott, of Carrivekeeny, near Newry, was granted an old age pension of 5s. per week by the local pension committee and that this allowance was reduced to 1s. per week at the instance of the pension officer of the district; and if he can say why this reduction was made?
§ Mr. BIRRELLPatrick M'Dermott was allowed an old age pension of 4s. a week by the pension committee in November, 1911, but on appeal by the pension officer to the Local Government Board it was reduced to 1s. a week on the ground that his means exceeded £28 17s. 6d. a year. He holds a farm of over twelve acres, five and a half acres of which are under cultivation, and which also carries three head of cattle, a horse, and fowl.