Mr. CHARLES MacVEIGHasked the Chief Secretary why and on what evidence the Local Government Board decided an appeal made by the pensions officer that Elizabeth Duffy was not entitled to a pension granted her by the Stranorlar pensions committee, county Donegal, she being well known to be over 70 years of age; and whether he will state if Elizabeth Duffy will be permitted to make a fresh application and furnish further proofs of her right to a pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that the pensions officer reported against Elizabeth Duffy's claim on the ground that she had not reached the age of 70. On appeal the Local Government Board asked the claimant to furnish any evidence she had as to her age, but the only reliable information she forwarded was her marriage certificate, from which it appeared that she was married in 1866. The Board could not regard this as sufficient evidence to show she had reached the statutory age. If she has any further evidence to establish her age it is open to her to make a fresh claim for a pension.