§ 15. Mr. ALFRED SHORTasked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Ernest Butcher, who was injured in the Royal Navy in 1888, and who was awarded a pension of £13 10s. per annum (pension certificate No. N.G.B. 3,078); whether he is aware that Mr. Butcher received this pension for one year only; that after repeated applications the pension was renewed in 1915, stopped again in 1916, and finally in 1917 a lesser amount was awarded for life; and whether, in view of the fact that this man's disability is permanent, he will give instructions for the payment of the pension for the period during which it was withheld?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe pre-war Regulations under which this pension is granted, are based, not on the extent of disablement, but on a man's ability to contribute to his own support. Mr. Butcher's original pension of £13 12s. a year was awarded by the Admiralty for one year only, its renewal depending on further survey. Mr. Butcher, however, went to Australia, and made no further application until August. 1914. He was then re-examined and found ineligible for continuation of pension, but was informed that, should he lose his employment as-a result of his disability, his case would be reconsidered. On a further application in March, 1915, reconsideration took place, and pension, at the rate of 3s. 6d. a week, again awarded for one year. In view of the medical report at the end of that period, the pension was not renewed, but as a result of a further later examination, pension was granted at the rate of 3s. 6d. a week for life. Mr. Butcher is not eligible for an award in respect of the periods during which the pension was discontinued.