§ 91. Mr. DEVLINasked the Pensions Minister the number of demobilised men in Belfast who have claimed impairment of their health due to or aggravated by War service and the number whose claims have been admitted; whether he is aware that no arrangements have been made by the Ministry for general practitioner's treatment of these men, who, unlike the similar class in Great Britain, are compelled to pay for treatment themselves or to seek treatment from the Poor Law dispensary medical officer or in the Belfast Workhouse hospital; whether he will state the number of impaired men at present receiving treatment in the Belfast Workhouse hospital; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing amongst this class of demobilised men in Ireland because of the absence of facilities for home treatment, and whether he is now in a position to state when adequate arrangements for such treatment will be made for the whole country?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am endeavouring to obtain the information asked for in the first and third parts of the question. As the hon. Member is aware, the question of granting general practitioner treatment to demobilised men in Ireland who have suffered impairment in the War has engaged my attention, and the matter is now before the Treasury. I hope a decision will soon be reached.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain how it is that arrangements have been made for treat- 1172 ing English soldiers, and that you are only now considering how Irish soldiers should be treated; and what is the reason of the Treasury putting obstacles in the way in Ireland when they have allowed this matter to be settled in England?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAs my hon. Friend is fully aware, facilities for treatment in Ireland and in England have been different for some time, and I am now trying to extend to Ireland the facilities that exist in England.
§ Captain REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman give guarantees that the same treatment, whether facilities be different or not, will be meted out to Irish soldiers as to soldiers in other parts of the United Kingdom?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI hope my answer will convince the hon. and gallant Gentleman that that is precisely what I am trying to arrange.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have brought this matter several times before the House during the last six weeks, and what is the meaning of the delay? Is it another Treasury trick?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI think the hon. Member had better wait another few days, and then he will find there is no Treasury trick.
§ Mr. DEVLINHow many more days? We cannot go on waiting while the Treasury is making up its mind.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWill the hon. Member put a question down again next week?
§ Mr. DEVLINCertainly—the very first day I can get a chance.