§ Mr. CREANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a pension of 5s. per week was granted to Mrs. Margaret Grace, South Ring, Clonakilty, county Cork, by the pension committee; if the pension officer recommended 3s. per week; whether on appeal the Local Government Board decided that the applicant was entitled to no pension and rejected her claim; whether there is any precedent for the rejection of a claim recommended both by the local committee and the pension officer, as in this case; and, if not, will this case be reconsidered with a view to granting the claim, even at the reduced amount recommended by the pension officer?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts are as stated. When a case comes before the Local Government Board on appeal, it devolves upon them to decide it on the facts as submitted to them, and, in giving their decision, they are not necessarily limited to deciding between the grant made by the pension committee and that recommended by the pension officer. It has frequently happened that the Board have come to a different decision from that of the pension committee and the recommendation of the pension officer. As the case in question has been determined, it is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision.