§ Mr. HUGH BARRIEasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that in Ireland where, owing to sickness or infirmity, old age pensioners find it necessary to remain in workhouses, hospitals, or infirmaries over a period of three months, the pensions are withdrawn; whether this course is followed in England; and, if not, will he state why boards of guardians should be penalised only in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLUnder Section 3 of the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908 a person is disqualified for receiving an old age pension while he is in receipt of poor relief in the workhouse, save and except where such relief takes the form of medical or surgical assistance, including food or comforts. In the case, however, of a person whose ailment is of a chronic character, or who is suffering from general debility or senile decay, maintenance in a workhouse hospital would generally involve disqualification, as in most cases the medical assistance could only be regarded as incidental to ordinary relief. I understand that pension officers act under the same instructions both in England and Ireland.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Secretary to the Treasury on what ground Edmond Moloney, of Chapel Street, Newcastle West, county Limerick, an old man, was deprived of his pension from September to December, 1911, while he was in hospital in Newcastle West; and whether, if there was no justification for doing so, he will take steps to see that he gets his back pension?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI find on inquiry that Moloney's pension was revoked by a decision of the local pension committee on the ground that he had become disqualified by the receipt of poor relief. I have no authority to question the correctness of this decision. Moloney has since made a second claim, and is now again receiving a pension of 5s. a week.
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§ Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Patrick Feely, of Cornalaghta, Dromahair, county Leitrim, was, owing to a mistake in the Census Return of 1851, entered as the fifth child of his parents, whereas he is the fourth; and whether, having regard to that mistake and to the fact that he is now over seventy years of age, the Local Government Board will reconsider his claim and regrant his old age pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the replies to his previous questions on this subject.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked on what ground John Dunworth, of Kilmihil, Ballingarry, county Limerick, was refused an old age pension by the Local Government Board, having regard to the fact that on his son's marriage he assigned to him his interest in his holding, reserving to himself and his wife £16 a year each in the event of their disagreeing with the family, which they now receive?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis appeal was disallowed on the ground that claimant's means exceeded the statutory limit. The farm referred to is an extensive one, well tilled, and carried twenty-one head of cattle besides other live stock, and the consideration for which the farm and stock were assigned was so inadequate that the Local Government Board were obliged to regard the case as coming under Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pension Act of 1908.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the James Benson, of Ballyloughane, Newcastle West, county Limerick, who was refused an old age pension by the Local Government Board on appeal by the pension officer on the ground that his age in the Census Return of 1851 was five years is not the same person as the applicant for the pension; that applicant's father was a labourer, whereas in the Census of 1851 James Benson's father was a farmer; and that applicant was the oldest child of his family, whereas in the Census James Benson is given as the second child; and whether, having regard to the fact that old people in the locality certified that applicant was over seventy years of age, he will direct the pension officer to inquire personally into the case, and interview the applicant with the view to getting the true facts of the case.
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§ Mr. BIRRELLThe statements contained in the question were brought under the notice of the Local Government Board at the time when the claim was being determined, but as the claimant was unable to furnish sufficient evidence of age the Board disallowed the appeal. The Board have have no power to re-open consideration of the case or to give directions to the pension officer, as suggested by the hon. Member.