§ Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that John Carson, Lattoon, Kiltyclogher, county Leitrim, was granted an old age pension last year and that the pension 407W officer, in May, 1909, brought his case before the pension committee on the allegation that Carson was not of the necessary Age; will he say, seeing that Carson proved his age satisfactorily and that the committee confirmed the pension, why the Local Government Board reduced it to 4s. a week without assigning any reason, though Carson is not possessed of any land or property whatever and is supported by a brother; and will he say if Carson was asked as to alleged means or given any opportunity by the Local Government Board to show that he was entitled to the full pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board reduced John Carson's pension from five shillings to four shillings a week, as they considered that his maintenance was worth more than £21 a year. They did not communicate with Carson as to his means, but were furnished by the pension officer with particulars relating to the farm on which Carson was maintained, including a list of the stock and crops.