§ 89. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Pensions Minister why it is that no de- 21 cision has been arrived at with regard to the application for a pension of Major F. C. H. Sinclair, Royal Air Force, who was invalided out of the Royal Air Force on 24th June, 1918; and when that officer is likely to have his application dealt with?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThis officer relinquished his commission on the 24th July, 1918, but his papers were not received in the Ministry of Pensions until 13th April, 1919. No application was made by the officer to the Ministry in the meantime. The result of the medical board which has now beheld is to find the disability not due to nor aggravated by service, and a gratuity of £225 has been awarded and will be paid immediately. The amount may be increased as the result of further inquiry which is being made of the officer.
§ Captain LOSEBYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the delays in this and similar cases are causing widespread and intense dissatisfaction?
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the hon. Gentleman say if questions of this kind are not dealt with automatically on an officer being invalided out?
§ Sir J. CRAIGWith respect to the first question, every possible effort is being made to prevent anything of the kind occurring. We are working very hard to overtake the work. The answer to the second question is that the arrangement works automatically, but it has required considerable adjustment between the War Office, the Air Force, and ourselves. We hope, very shortly, to have perfect machinery.