§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state the grounds upon which the Local Government Board for Ireland has decided that John M'Lean, Falcarragh, county Donegal, is in receipt of 17s. 6d. a week; and why the grant of additional old age pensions of 2s. 6d. a week sanctioned by the local committee to this man and to his wife has been reduced on appeal to 1s. 6d. and 1s. respectively?
§ Mr. DUKEThe sum of 17s 6d. a week was made up as follows:
Old age pensions of John M'Lean and his wife. 10s. 0d. a week Assistance from a daughter, who keeps a laundry 7s. 6d. a week. 17s. 6d. a week. The daughter is assisted by the pensioner's wife in the laundry, and is reported to make good earnings. She also receives monetary help from three brothers in Scotland to keep the couple. The applicants have an acre of ground, and are, as I am informed, living in reasonably comfortable circumstances.