§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary on what authority old age pension officers in Ireland include a proportion of the establishment charges and also about 1s. weekly as value of lodging in the hospital in assessing value of patient's support and treatment in union hospitals; and whether he will refer to the Irish Law Officers for their opinion the contention of the Kilkenny Borough Pension Committee in a pending case that any value in excess of the average weekly cost, usually about 5s. 6d., at which every sick person is legally entitled to treatment, is a public common right like enjoyment of the public highway, and lighting provision, and so forth, and therefore not assessable as personal means?
§ Mr. BIRRELLPension officers receive their instructions from the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, and not from the Local Government Board. The contention of the Kilkenny Borough Pension Committee referred to in the latter part of the question has been submitted in connection with an appeal case which is at present before the Board, and which is still under consideration.