HC Deb 12 July 1910 vol 19 c335W
Mr. O'DOHERTY

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Hugh M'Ginley, of Tirheman, Milford, county Donegal, has been deprived of his old age pension, of his book, and noticed to refund amount already received, on the statement of the pension officer that the Census records showed the pensioner to be only eight years of age in 1851, and so under age; whether he is aware that searches have been duly made, and that no record of the pensioner's family has been found in the Census records of 1841 or 1851; on what grounds did the pension officer make the above statement; and, seeing that other sufficient evidence has been and can be produced, will he take steps to have the arrears of pension paid, the book returned, and the pension continued?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Local Government Board decided in March last that Hugh M'Ginley had not yet attained the age of seventy years. His parents' family was found in the Census Returns of 1841 and 1851. His name did not appear in the Return for 1841, and he was recorded as being eight years old in 1851. If he considers that he has now sufficient evidence to establish his age, it is open to him to lodge a fresh claim.

Mr. FRANCIS MEEHAN

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Jane Rooney, of Aughalative, Kin-lough, county Leitrim, has been deprived of her pension as she was not, according to the Census record of 1841, up to the statutory age until 5th September, 1909; and whether, in accordance with recent decisions of the Local Government Board, the pension officer will be instructed to restore her book and refund her the amount stopped on account of the pension paid?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am informed that Mrs. Rooney was awarded a pension from 1st January, 1909, but on an appeal by the pension officer the Local Government Board decided in April last that Mrs. Rooney had attained the statutory age on 5th September, 1909. Pension officers are not under my control, and questions as to the payment of pensions by those officers should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury.