§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the granting of the 2s. 6d. increase to the old age pensioners in Ireland is to be left to the sole decision of the local pensions officer; whether he is aware that in many cases the pensions officer is an unfriendly administrator of the Old Age Pensions Act, and is constantly using his powers to set aside the decision of the local pension committees; and whether he will consider the desirability of arranging that the sole administration of this increase shall not be entrusted to such men without any reference to the local old age pension committee?
210W
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first question is in the negative. The responsibility for deciding what additional allowance, if any, should be awarded to an old age pensioner will rest with the local pension committee or sub-committee; but I must entirely dissent from the suggestion of the hon. Member that pension officers in carrying out their duties under the Old Age Pensions Acts act in an unfriendly manner towards the pensioners.