§ CAPTAIN NORTONTo ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that a letter sorter named Papworth, employed at the General Post Office, has been on sick leave, due to an accident on duty, without any pay, pending pension settlement, since 25th February last; and, if BO, whether, in view of Mr. Papworth's circumstances, he will take steps to have his pension settled at once.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) After an accident on duty in December, 1902, Mr. Papworth was granted sick pay during sick absence for the full period allowed by the regulations, and the authority of the Treasury has been obtained for the grant of further sick pay at the rate he would have received if he were pensioned. The medical officer to my Department has expressed the opinion that Mr. Papworth cannot at present be certified to be permanently incapacitated for further duty, and this opinion is shared by Dr. Lionel Beale, the Treasury medical referee, who also examined him. In these circumstances Mr. Papworth's superannuation cannot be proceeded with at 1230 present. The sick pay will date from 25th of February last. I may say that in November last Mr. Papworth obtained £830 damages from the South Eastern and Chatham Railway, in respect of the injuries he received in December, 1902.