§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether in regard to the case of 2094W Miss Margaret Mullins, of Lahinch, West Clare, Ireland, who was declared ineligible for an old age pension on the ground that she had been inmate of the Ennis workhouse, it has been brought to his notice that she was an inmate of the infirmary of the Ennis union solely on account of an accident causing fracture of the leg, that at the time she was in the service of Mr. Frank Cahir, of Trinaderry, Ennis, and that when fit to resume her household duties she was again taken into service by that gentleman; and whether these circumstances constitute a disqualification for the old age pension?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI understand that the facts are that Margaret Mullins was herself under the impression that she was disqualified until the 31st December, 1910, through having received poor relief, and that accordingly she did not claim to be entitled to a pension as from any earlier date. The pension authority had therefore no opportunity of adjudicating on the character of the poor relief received. If the circumstances as stated in the question had been made known to the Pension Committee by the claimant when her claim was under consideration, I think it is probable that they would have regarded the relief as medical, and allowed the pension as from the 12th December, but, as they were not, and as the pension was in fact allowed as from the 6th January only, no payment can now be made for any period prior to the latter date.
Mr. KELLYasked on what grounds the application of John M'Glynn, of Commeen, Cloghan, county Donegal, for an old age pension was refused by the Local Government Board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLJohn M'Glynn was refused a pension by the local Pension Committee in January, 1909, on the ground that he was under the statutory age, and on appeal the Local Government Board confirmed the decision of the Local Committee.