HC Deb 11 February 1913 vol 48 cc722-3W
Mr. O'DOWD

asked whether Mary Pryce, of Eskeragh, Tubbercurry, county Sligo, Adare sub-pension committee, was, on two occasions, granted a pension which on appeal was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that her name could not be traced in the Census, although another old woman in the neighbourhood, who was baptised on the same date as this applicant, is registered as seventy-two years in the Census; and, if so, whether, seeing that this woman is wholly destitute of means, her case will be reconsidered?

Mr. BIRRELL

The facts are as stated in the question, except that there is no corroboration of the statement that Mary Pryce was baptised on the same day as another person who, according to the Census record, is now seventy-two years of age. It is not open to the Local Government Board to reconsider this case.

Mr. O'SULLIVAN

asked on what grounds the pension officer has appealed against the granting of a pension to John Long and his wife Mary Long, of Farranfore, county Kerry; whether John Long is eighty years and his wife eighty-three; that two sons are invalided and the third a cripple; that the farm is a small poor one, which would not yield anything near the income disqualifying for a pension; and whether the Local Government Board will be requested to grant the pension to these people?

Mr. BIRRELL

John Long and his wife have applied for an increase of their pensions from 1s. to 5s. a week each, and the pension officer has appealed against the increase on the ground that their means exceed £28 17s. 6d. a year each. The circumstances as to their age and their family appear to be as stated in the question. Their cases are at present under consideration by the Local Government Board, and due inquiry will be made into them.

Mr. BARNES

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been directed to the Minute of the Southwark union, by which it appears that the board of guardians intend to charge old age pensioners temporarily inmates of the workhouse or infirmary for cost of maintenance, and to take such cost from the pension; and will he see that action of the board is suspended until sanction has been given by Parliament for such deduction?

Mr. BURNS

My attention has been called to this matter, and I have directed one of my inspectors to confer with the guardians on the subject.