§ 45 Mr. HOHLERasked the Prime Minister (1) who were persons constituting the Treasury when the claims of H. C. Lunn, then of 22, Cornwall Road, Gillingham, Kent; W. Scudds, then of 55, Baden Road, Gillingham; and G. Clark, of 26, Fair Row, Chatham, for compensation under the Government's scheme for com pensation (No. 116) in case of injury to workmen in Government establishments, were made; and which of those persons 1174 heard and determined their claims; (2) whether he is aware that H. C. Lunn, boilermaker in His Majesty's dockyard, Chatham, received a blow on the head, in October, 1908, causing injury to his brain; that in the month of May, 1911, the Treasury, after long dispute, admitted liability, but only awarded him eighteen-sixtieths of his wages; that Lunn then was, and has ever since been, wholly incapable of work as the result of the accident, and as the result thereof is now confined in the County Lunatic Asylum, Fareham, Hampshire; and whether, as the head of the Treasury, he will direct that the full sum to which Lunn is entitled under the scheme, namely, twenty-four-sixtieths, shall be paid to his wife and children, with arrears from the date of his discharge from the Naval Hospital, Chatham, or appoint a time and place when the Treasury will sit to hear and decide his case in accordance with the compensation scheme; (3) whether he is aware that George Clark, general labourer in His Majesty's dock-yard, Chatham, in October, 1911, lost the use of the top joint of the forefinger of his left hand as the result of an accident arising out of, and in the course of, his employment; that he has been refused compensation, though his medical man certifies that, in his opinion, the injury to a certain extent prevents the man following his usual employment, and is a disability and a cause of loss of power in the hand; and whether, as the head of the Treasury, he will direct that the man be paid compensation, or appoint a time and place when the Treasury will sit to hear and determine Clark's case in accordance with the compensation scheme; and (4) whether he is aware that W. Scudds, skilled labourer in His Majesty's dockyard, Chatham, in October, 1905, was caught in a drilling machine and had his arm broken in six places; that as the result of the accident the man, who had theretofore enjoyed good health, completely broke down, and was ultimately discharged from His Majesty's dockyard, Chatham, on the 30th May, 1912, his discharge stating that the reason was extended illness; that his doctor certified in July, 1912, that he had been treating Scudds for the last five years for neurasthenia which, in his opinion, was due to the above accident; that, notwithstanding these facts, compensation has been refused; and whether he, as head of the Treasury, will direct that compensation be paid this man or appoint a time and place 1175 when the Treasury will sit to hear and determine Scudds' case in accordance with the compensation scheme?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Prime Minister has asked me to reply. The hon. and learned Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that any hearing is permissible under the Government scheme for compensation. The claims referred to were decided by the Treasury in the ordinary course of Departmental business. In the case of H. C. Lunn, the injury in October, 1908, was a slight scalp wound only, and it was considered doubtful by the Medical Referee (then Sir Dyce Duckworth (15278/10), to whom the Treasury referred the matter, whether Lunn's breakdown from nervous debility eighteen months later could be attributed to it. The Treasury, however, gave him the benefit of the doubt, and he was treated in hospital, receiving half-pay at the same time, till May, 1911, when, as attacks of headache and occasional dizziness persisted, he was discharged with compensation at the materially impaired rate in accordance with the medical certificates under the scheme which he had accepted. I am informed that Lunn was admitted into Fareham Asylum on 24th December, from which date the allowance has been increased to the maximum rate. As regards George Clark, the injury has left nothing more than a slight limitation of the movement of the terminal joint of the left index finger, and it is not considered that his capacity as a labourer is in any way affected. He continued to serve until discharged until the age limit. In the case of Walter Scudds, the Referee (Dr. Sharkey (23830/12) advises that the attack of melancholia which occurred in September, 1911, cannot be connected with the fracture of his right arm six years previously, from which he made a good recovery, No medical certificate to the effect stated in the question has been received. Scudds has now recovered, and was offered re-employment in the dockyard, but it is understood that he has gone to Canada.
§ Mr. CROOKSWith reference to the second question, surely the Government do not propose to save money because of the accident, and prevent the man's wife and child having the benefit?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf my hon. Friend will read the particulars which I am circulating, he will then see how the situation is.