§ 3. Sir ALFRED YEOasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of a disabled man, 237 James Maloney, late Private, No. 449,386, Labour Corps, of 85, Morant Street, Poplar, who made an application for pension under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant in October, 1919, on the ground that he was suffering from chest trouble and pain in the side attributable to service; whether he is aware that on examination by a medical board in January, 1920, Maloney's disabilities were certified to be gas poisoning, valvular disease of the heart, and phthisis, attributable to service, although he was considered by the Board to be suffering no disablement therefrom, and that this decision was upheld by the medical appeal board, after examination on 25th May, 1920, with the result that Maloney was refused pension; that Maloney was under treatment for phthisis at a sanatorium for a period of 17 weeks from January, 1920, and has since been unfit for work and under treatment at the Hospital for Consumption, Brompton; and whether he will give the case further investigation with a view to its being made clear why this man has been refused pension, whilst at the same time his disabilities are admitted by the Ministry of Pensions to be attributable to service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe facts are not correctly stated in the second part of this question. The finding of the Medical Board in December, 1919, was that the man was suffering from no disablement due to service, and the Board specifically stated that there was no evidence of either tuberculosis or valvular disease of the heart. This opinion was confirmed by a Medical Appeal Board, and I am informed that it is also now shared by the medical authorities of the Brompton Hospital. In order, however, to remove any doubts which still exist, I am arranging for the man to be re-examined by a special Tuberculosis Board at an early date.
§ Sir A. YEOWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to bring a little more humanity into the Department in order that these cases may be dealt with more expeditiously?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not know what justification there is for accusing the, Department of want of humanity, because our practice is much the reverse.
238 Everything possible is being done for these men. I have already told my hon. Friend that there are grave doubts about this ease, but I am taking immediate steps to remove all such doubts.