§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Charles George Bassett commenced work at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, on the 26th July, 1889, and that, having contracted lead poisoning, he, on the 11th April, 1898, was placed on sick leave for six months, at the end of which period he presented himself to the Government medical officer, and was told to resume his duties; that Bassett, finding himself unable to cope with his work, consulted two civilian medical officers of Enfield, both of whom pronounced him to be still suffering from the effects of lead poisoning and unfit for duty, with the result that he absented himself from the factory, and was forthwith discharged; and that the Secretary of State for War, on reviewing the case, allowed Bassett to resume work on the 27th April, 1899; and will he now consider the expediency of arranging for Bassett's services between July, 1889, and April, 1898, to count towards pension.
LORD STANLEYI am well aware of the case of George Bassett. No question of reckoning service towards pension arises, as he is not, and never was, eligible for pension.