Oral Answers to Questions — Naval and Military Pensions and Grants. – in the House of Commons am ar 17 Ionawr 1924.
asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Sergeant Tansley, of 10, Little John Street, Nottingham, has made two applications to the regional director, Birmingham, in respect of a disability arising from neuritis, namely on 19th November, 1923, and 20th December, 1923; that no reply has been vouchsafed to either of these letters; that Sergeant Tansley recently appealed under Article 9 for a pension in respect of heart trouble; and that he was informed in a Ministry of Pensions letter, dated 27th September, 1923; that any alleged heart trouble had already been considered by the Ministry, although the injury to his heart had not been raised previously; and whether, in view of the serious predicament of this man, whose medical advisers certify him as unable to pursue his occupation by reason of disabilities incurred in the War, he will direct the whole case to be reopened?
I am inquiring into the facts of this ease and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.
asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that William English, 63, Partridge Road, Llanhilleth, Mon., late 3rd battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, is suffering from rheumatism and bronchitis aggravated by service; that in consequence of disablement he has not been able to follow his employment since June, 1917; that his pension is only 11s. 6d. per week; that he has a wife and three children to maintain, who are largely dependent upon relief from the board of guardians; and will he have this case specially investigated with a view to providing this ex-service man with a further course of medical treatment, and also with a substantial increase in his pension?
Compensation has been granted on a final basis in this case, and is not, therefore, subject to review. I am inquiring as to the need for treatment for the disabilities mentioned, and will communicate later with the hon. Member.
May I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that he is simply transferring the expense of maintaining this man from the National Exchequer to the guardians, and pauperising him, instead of giving him a proper pension?
asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the fact that a considerable number of applications for pensions by ex-service men have been disallowed and reduced to almost vanishing point in St. Helens, Lancashire, on the grounds that disability is not attributed to service, notwithstanding the fact that the men were conscripted and sent on active service with the full knowledge of the inspecting Army medical men that they had the germs of their complaint when drafted to the colours and aggravated when they returned to ordinary civilian occupations; and if he will undertake to have such cases, if submitted to him, reopened and again considered, with a view of them securing some assistance?
I am not aware that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. I would remind the hon. Member that when a claim to pension is rejected by the Ministry on the ground that the disability is neither attributable to nor aggravated by service, the man has a right of appeal to an independent tribunal whose decision is final.
Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the fact that this man has asked for relief and has been refused it and in that case will he make inquiries into it?
I do not quite understand the supplementary question of the hon. Member which refers to a particular man. There is no reference in this question to a particular man. Perhaps he is thinking of Question 22? In any case I shall be happy to do all I can to clear the matter up.