§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that William Burke, old age pensioner, No. 1540, was admitted from 7, Emmett Street, Haroldscross, to the South Dublin union for medical or surgical assistance on 10th April, 1918, and thereupon disqualified 812W by the pension officer on 25th July, 1918, and died on 4th August, 1918; and, if so, what were the grounds for stopping his pension, seeing that the Local Government Board for Ireland, in the month of February, 1911, decided on an appeal by a pension officer in the Claremorris union district that an infirm inmate or old age pensioner might enter a workhouse and pay for his maintenance without the penalty of disqualification?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Local Government Board have no record of the case of William Burke, 7, Emmett Street. Haroldscross, referred to in the question as having come to them for decision. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the Claremorris case referred to I will have inquiries made.
§ Captain CARR-GOMMasked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the reason for the delay in dealing with the application of Mr. F. Pescud, of 19, Henwood Street, Rotherhithe, for an old age pension; whether he is aware that this application was forwarded in May of this year and that several inquiries were subsequently made without any result; and whether, therefore, he will settle the matter without further delay?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe pension officer (who, I should explain, is not one of my officials) was requested several months ago to obtain some information necessary for the determination of the appeal. In spite of several efforts my Department has not been able to obtain the information until two days ago. The appeal has now been determined.