HC Deb 12 January 1916 vol 77 c1609
76. Mr. FARRELL

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Peter Reilly, Doummell, Moatfarrell, Edgeworthstown, No. 1,275 on the register of old age pensions applications was, on 12th November, 1915, granted 3s. a week by the Ballinalee old age pensions committee, which has since been upset on appeal by the Local Government Board; whether he is aware that statement on oath by older men were forwarded in support of the applicant's claim, and that since 1911 this man has repeatedly applied and always been refused on the ground of age; and will he request the Local Government Board to send their inspector, Mr. Mark Beresford, to see this man so as to enable the Board to get first-hand evidence of the view in proof of his claim that he is well over seventy years of age?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Local Government Board do not consider that the evidence produced in support of this applicant's claim is sufficient to rebut the presumption that he has not reached seventy years of age, as he was recorded in the Census of 1851 as being then only three years of age. In the circumstances, the Board see no reason to send an inspector to see him.