§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware of the opposition given by the pension officers to claimants for the addi- 876W tional 2s. 6d. awarded by the Government to old age pensioners; if he is aware that all persons in receipt of the pension had their claims closely investigated before they received the pension of 5s.; having regard to such investigations, will he say why the present system of inquiry into their cases is being pursued; if he will say whether the pension officers are acting on Government instructions in their attempts to place difficulties in the way of pensioners claiming the additional 2s. 6d.; and if he will recommend to the Treasury the desirability of paying all old age pensioners, without any further delay, the additional allowance granted by the Government to meet the increased cost of living?
§ Mr. DUKEThis question relates to matters over which I have no control, and should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.