§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Michael Biggane, of Ballyauliffe, Ballyagran, Charleville, was an applicant for an old age pension, and that having regard to the fact that his age cannot be traced in the parish register or in the Census Returns of 1841 and 1851, the Local Government Board on appeal, No. M.A. 2493, Limerick county, Bruree P. S. C., refused him the pension although statements from old age pensioners and others were made certifying that he was over seventy years of age; and whether, considering the above facts and that in no other way can Michael Biggane prove his age, he will direct the local pension officer to make further local inquiries into his case with the view to giving him the pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts generally are as stated in the question, but before determining this case the Local Government Board instituted inquiries as to Michael Biggane's age through one of their inspectors, but he was unable to obtain any satisfactory evidence. The Board have no authority to direct a pension officer to make inquiries, as suggested, into a case which has already been decided.