§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the right hon. Gentleman why the claim for an old age pension on behalf of Henry Senhenn, of Takeley, Essex, was refused by the Board; if the reason was that the claimant was not born in the British dominions, will he submit to the Law Officers the question as to whether a man born in Hanover when that State was part of the British dominions is not a British-born subject; and if, when the Board refused the claim, they were aware that the claimant had been ruled by the Revision Courts not to be an alien?
§ Mr. BURNSNo proof of age of the claimant was submitted, but it was stated by his son, who appealed, that the claimant was born in Hanover on the 21st of May, 1837, i.e., before the accession of Her late Majesty. It was, however, decided by the High Court in the case of the Stepney Election Petition in 1886 that persons born in Hanover before the date of the late Queen's accession and resident in this country, but not naturalised, are aliens. In these circumstances I had no alternative but to decide that the claimant was disqualified for a pension. I see no reason to consult the law officers on the point. It is determined by the case to which I have referred.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYIf the claimant gets himself naturalised, will the right hon. Gentleman consider his claim?