§ 87. Mr. BYRNEasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to a case where a man named Mates was discharged from the 3rd Con-naught Rangers on 23rd July, 1915, certified as unfit for further military service, suffering from a disease contracted while so serving; if this man, who was in perfect health when accepted and at the time carrying on the business of a painting contractor at Dublin, has, since his discharge, owing to and arising from such disease, been quite unable to perform any class of work, has been refused either a pension or compensation, and not having other means of support, his sons being also serving, has been obliged to dispose of his stock in trade, together with his household effects, in order to provide food for his family, and is at present practically destitute; why this man has been made to suffer such indignity; and how it is 480 proposed to deal with such cases having such injurious effect upon recruiting in Ireland?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)I am having inquiry made into this case, and will, in due course, let my hon. Friend know the result.
§ 93. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he could inform the House as to what is the exact meaning of the instruction issued by the War Office to recruiting officers in connection with the re-examination of men formerly found to be medically unfit, more especially the provision in that instruction which says that men concerning whom the recruiting officer is satisfied that there is no possible doubt will not be summoned for medical re-examination?
§ The SECRETARY Of STATE for WAR (Mr. Lloyd George)I will have the reply circulated in the OFFICIAL EEPOET. [See Written Answers.]
§ Mr. HOGGEIf it is printed, will the right hon. Gentleman see that it gets into the Press, not for my sake, but because it affects 300,000 men all over the country?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEYes, I will make a special request.