§ 32. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Pensions Minister if he will accelerate the settlement of the pension case of the late Private Comberbach, No. 13377, the Cameronians, which was submitted to him on the 6th December last as a case of grave urgency owing to the condition of the man's widow, who is in a weak state of health with eight dependent children, a further communication being addressed to him on the 27th December last, to which a reply was received to the effect that no time would be lost in arriving at a decision, and another communication from him, dated 21st February last, stating that the matter was being expedited, and a still further communication, dated 28th March, repeating that the case was being expedited, the last communication from the Department, dated 2nd May, stating that inquiries are being made, and the result will be notified as soon as possible?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Hodge)Private Robert Comberbach, late Scottish Rifles, served for forty-four days in the Army and died suddenly eight days after being discharged as "not likely to become an efficient soldier," application for the discharge having been made by the medical officer, the cause of 1222 whose objection was that the man suffered from lumbago and dyspepsia due to deficient teeth, rendering him unfit for service abroad. An inquest was held, but the exact cause of death is not known as there was no post-mortem examination. A verdict of death from natural causes was returned. The case has been carefully considered by the Deputy-Director of Medical Services, who is of opinion that the man did not die of disease attributable to or aggravated by service. In these circumstances the widow is eligible for temporary pension only, and this is to be awarded at once. I regret the delay.