HC Deb 15 July 1920 vol 131 cc2562-3
3. Mr. SHORT

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now able to give a decision respecting the case of Mrs. Preece, of 6, Church Road, Tipton, the widow of Private R. Preece, No. 31,349, South Staffordshire Regiment?

Mr. MACPHERSON

An award of pension has been refused in this case on the ground that the disease of which the late soldier died in July, 1919, could not be accepted as contracted or commencing on active service, which terminated in April, 1917. An appeal against this decision has been lodged, and will be forwarded immediately to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal for hearing.

Mr. SHORT

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that I have been informed that this has already been remitted to the Appeal Tribunal, and that this case was raised so far back as February this year, and we are still awaiting a deci- sion? This woman has a family dependent on her, and they are almost on the verge of starvation.

Mr. MACPHERSON

I do not know the facts of the case, but I can say that if the case is not now before the Appeal Tribunal it will soon be there.

Mr. SHORT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have been informed it has been remitted there some considerable time? Now he says it is going to be remitted. What does it mean?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I have said that an appeal has been lodged.