§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether claims of applicants for old age pensions in Belfast have been rejected on the ground that the applicants were in receipt of allowances from their sons and daughters; whether any appeals on this point have been made to the Local. Government Board; and, if so, what decision has been given on the point?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSuch cases have occurred in Ireland, and may have arisen in Belfast. They have all been dealt with on the principle indicated in the circular issued by the Local Government Board to Pension Committees on the 15th December last. Paragraph 7 of that circular points out that voluntary allowances in money and the value of free board or lodging or other benefits regularly given to a claimant must be taken into consideration in calculating the yearly means of the claimant.