asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the cause of the delay in granting a widow's pension to Mrs. Margaret Prendergast, No. R/2520361, Barneycarroll, Claremorris, County Mayo.

There has been no avoidable delay in dealing with this case. The claim was rejected on the 19th June, 1939. Mrs. Prendergast appealed against this decision on the 14th July, 1939, and her case was submitted to a referee, at whose request further inquiries are being made. Until these inquiries are completed the referee cannot give a decision.