§ Mr. O'DOWDasked why Mary McGarry, of Carrea, Ballintogher, Collooney, county Sligo, has been deprived of her old age pension which she was receiving for thirteen months; whether an old man seventy-seven years of age has made an affidavit before a magistrate stating that she was born in 1835; and, if so, whether, seeing that this woman, who lives in a state of destitution, is well known in the neighbourhood to be well over the statutory age, her case will be reconsidered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs the case was determined in September, 1910, and the documents are no longer in the possession of the Local Government Board it cannot now be stated whether an affidavit was furnished as alleged. The Board were not satisfied that the evidence submitted was sufficient to show that Mary McGarry 39 was seventy years of age, especially as her name did not appear in the Census Return of her parents' family in 1841, and as in 1851 her age was recorded as eight years. The Board have no authority to re-open a case already decided.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me what steps will be taken against these persons for obtaining money under false pretences?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIf the hon. Member was acquainted with the difficulty of proving the age of anybody when there is no certificate of birth he would see that is hardly a proper question to address to me.
§ Mr. O'DOWDAm I to assume this case is permanently shut out from consideration?
§ Mr. BIRRELLA fresh application can always be made.