§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is still an instruction to pension officers in Ireland to make three times the rent and four times the purchase annuity the minimum when estimating the income from small holdings; if such instruction is not in force has its withdrawal been communicated to the pension officers; and what system, if any, has been substituted?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSE:The practice of pension officers was in the past in many cases as described in the question, but definite instructions have been issued directing pension officers to furnish with their reports to the pension committees a detailed statement of acreage, crops, stock, etc., as a guide to the committees in forming their own judgment as to the means to be derived from small holdings.