§ Sir T. ESMONDEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that Thomas Furlong and Catherine Furlong, of Clasheen, Gorey, county Wexford, old age pensioners, recently applied for the 2s. 6d. weekly increase and were only granted 6d. each; if so, for what reason; and if he will have inquiry made into this case and into any other cases of like nature of which complaint is made in the Gorey pensions district?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The scheme for the grant of additional allowances to old age pensioners who are suffering special hardship owing to the War provides that the amount of the allowance shall not exceed such sum within a maximum of 2s. 6d. a week, as will in the case of married couples raise the money value of the means (including the pension money) to £l a week. As the money value of the means (including the pension money) of Thomas and Catherine Furlong amounted to 19s. weekly, the grant of an additional allowance of sixpence a week to each brings the total joint means up to the maximum of £1 a week.