asked the Minister for Defence whether a military service pension has been awarded to Mr. Laurence Giles, Longwood, Co. Meath, and if he will state the nature and duration of the service rendered by Mr. Giles in the Irish Volunteers (pre-Truce) and in the National Army, and whether he will state the name and rank of the person or persons who gave reference for Mr. Giles.

A military service pension has been awarded to Mr. Giles. I cannot state what the nature and duration of his military services were. I have no information as to the names and ranks of witnesses examined in reference to individual claims under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924, and, if I were in possession of such, I should consider it improper to disclose same.

Will the Minister state the services in connection with which Mr. Giles was awarded a pension? No reference has been made as to the nature and duration of the service rendered by Mr. Giles, both pre-Truce and post-Truce. Will the Minister say under what system the pension was awarded, particularly when no references were given to show what services were rendered by Mr. Giles?

I am quite sure that the Board of Assessors would not make an award under any such circumstances.

If evidence is given in the near future to prove that Mr. Giles had not the required service pre-Truce and post-Truce, will the Minister accept it?

I cannot indicate what evidence I will accept. I will have to see the evidence first.