HC Deb 28 June 1909 vol 7 cc195-6W
Mr. DUFFY

asked the Chief Secretary whether be is aware that an old man named Patt Hubon, living at Ballingarry, Loughrea, was granted a pension last January, and that the pension officer appealed to the Local Government Board on the ground of age; that a search was made in the 1841 and 1851 Census Returns with the result that the payment of the pension was not made; and that it was since discovered that Hubon was over 90 years of age at the time of his death, which occurred lately; and, in view of these circumstances, will he insist upon the amount of arrears of pension due to this poor old man at the time of his death being paid to his family?

Mr. BIRRELL

The appeal in this case was not on the ground of age but on the ground that the claimant was disqualified by reason of a protracted stay in the workhouse hospital. The Local Government Board found that he had been maintained in the hospital for two years, and he was, therefore, disqualified under the terms of the Board's Circular of 30th December last, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Mr. O'SHEE

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that Johanna Kiely was declared to be entitled to an old age pension of 5s. per week by the Dungarvan rural sub-committee on 4th May, 1909; that on appeal by the pension officer the Local Government Board disallowed the pension on the ground of age; will he say what evidence of age did the Local Government Board obtain to contradict the evidence which satisfied the sub-committee; whether the Local Government Board obtained evidence from the Census Returns; and how did they identify the applicant with the name appearing on the Census Returns which it is alleged refers to the applicant, and which has caused her pension to be disallowed?

Mr. BIRRELL

The facts of the case are as stated. The claimant's age was recorded in the Census Returns of 1851 as three. The evidence before the Committee appears to have consisted of statements made by neighbours. In the case of searches in the Census Returns it is the practice of pension officers to obtain particulars for the purpose of identification from the claimants, and in the present case this was done.