HC Deb 13 November 1918 vol 110 cc2661-2
35. Mr. RENDALL

asked the Pensions Minister whether he has now made inquiry into the case of Private L. Hembry, No. 202128, 3/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment; whether the War Office definitely stated that this man had been classified as fit only for permanent base in November, 1916, but he was in the following year sent in a fighting unit to Italy, where his health and mind completely gave way, and he was finally discharged on 22nd May, 1918; whether he has since been taken to the Gloucester County Asylum and is expected to be permanently insane; if the medical referee, after examination for pension allowance, agreed that his condition resulted from his war service; if an allowance of only 5s. 6d. has been granted, though it has not been paid for three months, because the Ministry will not grant permission to the father to draw it; if the asylum authorities are now pressing this man's father to pay £3 11s., the cost of taking him to the asylum, and 13s. weekly towards the son's maintenance; and what action he proposes to take?

Mr. HODGE

Private Hembry, at the time of his discharge, was not certifiable, and the medical opinion was that his earning capacity was not much impaired. He was consequently awarded a conditional pension of 5s. 6d. a week. Since his discharge he appears to have become worse, and he is now in the Gloucester County Asylum, where he is classed as a "Service patient." So long as he remains there no necessity arises for a re-examination, as the conditional award is in abeyance and he is regarded as totally disabled. I am making inquiries as to the further statements made in the question.