§ 1. Sir H. NIELDasked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. F. T. Webberley, M.M., late private No. 14,614, Royal West Kent Regiment, who has been twice wounded and has been refused a pension, gratuity, or training; whether he is aware that, owing to a shoulder wound, Mr. Webberley is quite incapable of performing manual labour; that he enlisted in his youth and served four years and is therefore totally untrained and unable to earn a livelihood; and that he is now dependent upon the earnings of his two sisters, who have already an invalid father to support; and whether he will cause special inquiries to be made into this case with a view to Mr. Webberley being provided with a pension, gratuity, or training so as to enable him to become self-supporting?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Ian Macpherson)There is no medical evidence before the Ministry to suggest that Mr. Webberley is incapable of performing manual labour. He has been examined by two separate Medical Boards, neither of whom could find any existing 1809 disablement. He will, however, be re examined by a Medical Appeal Board, to whom the facts now adduced in his favour will be submitted, and their decision will be treated as final. The question of training is one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.
§ Sir H. NIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman take care that this third examination shall take place at a time when the man is in work, because it is only when he is in work that his shoulder gets out? When he is at home under medical treatment and not working his shoulder appears to be perfectly normal.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI shall see that everything possible is arranged.