§ Mr. DANIEL BOYLEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what grounds the old age pension claim of James Barrett, Snaigh West, Bunnahowen, Erris, has been disallowed by the Local Government Board; and, if on the ground of want of documentary proof of age, is he aware that old age pensioners whose ages have been satisfactorily proved have made declarations that Barrett is older than themselves, and will these declarations be accepted to prove a fresh claim if lodged?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe claim of James Barrett, Bunnahowen, Erris, County Mayo, for an old age pension was disallowed on the ground that the evidence was insufficient to show that James Barrett was seventy years of age. The declarations of the old age pensioners referred to in the question were considered by the Local Government Board, and these persons were interviewed by one of the Board's inspectors, but their evidence was not of a sufficiently convincing character to enable the Board to regard Barrett as having attained the statutory age.