Given: $a < b < c < d < e$ Since, any two successive ages differ by 2 years, the ages can also be written as: $a$, $a + 2$, $a + 4$, $a + 6$, $a + 8$

Statement 1: The age of the eldest is 3 times the youngest. So, $a + 8 = 3a$ Or $2a = 8$ Or $a = 4$ So, Statement 1 alone is sufficient.

Statement 2: The average age of the children is 8 years. $(a + a + 2 + a + 4 + a + 6 + a + 8) / 5 = 8$ Or $(5a + 20) / 5 = 8$ Or $5a + 20 = 40$ Or $5a = 20$ Or $a = 4$ So, Statement 2 alone is sufficient.

Hence, option (B) is correct.