§ 70. Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Under-Secretary for War if he can state why the pension granted to Private Peter O'Neill, late of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, No. 5,395, has now been reduced by half to 12s. 6d. per week for himself and 1s. 3d. per week for each of his two children; whether O'Neill was so seriously wounded at Messines on 31st October, 1914, that one of his ribs had to be cut away, three of his ribs being still fractured near the spine, the bottom part of his shoulder blade splintered and taken away, his right lung torn, and two pieces of shell being still in his side which the surgeons were unable to extract; whether he was discharged on 22nd May, 1915, as totally unfit for further service and is now pronounced totally unfit for work by his medical attendant, Dr. Petty; and, having regard to these facts and to the price of provisions, the pension will be increased so as to enable him to support himself, his wife, and two children?
§ Mr FORSTERThe Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital found that this man's earning capacity had considerably improved, and his pension was, therefore, reassessed, in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee of this House.
§ 74. Mr. PATRICK MEEHANasked the Under-Secretary for War if a pension will be granted to Corporal Martin Bennett, No. 3,121, 4th Leinster Regiment, who was discharged on the 5th May, 1916, after having been invalided home from France on 16th September 1915; if he is aware that Bennett served in all seventeen years, with the Colours, took part in the Boer War, and holds the Queen's South African Medal (four clasps); and whether his claim to a pension will be considered without delay as he has no means of supporting his wife and child?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis case is being considered by the Chelsea Commissioners, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.