§ 1. Mr. C. WHITEasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Lieutenant Verity, of 8, Orrell Road, Wallasey, Cheshire, who was invalided out of the 1424 Army suffering from tuberculosis, directly attributable to military service, with 100 per cent. disability and full pension; whether he is aware that, after repeated medical examinations, the Ministry of Pensions changed the nature of the disability from tuberculosis to neurasthenia, and reduced the percentage of disability to 30 per cent., against which Mr. Verity appealed to the Medical Appeal Board, who decided that he was not suffering from neurasthenia: whether he is aware that this officer's pension has now been reduced to 40 per cent. disability pension, though he is quite unable to follow any employment, his health continually breaking down; and whether, under all the circumstances, he will restore Lieutenant Verity's full pension until his health is satisfactorily re-established?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Macpherson)After most careful examination and consideration my medical advisers reached the conclusion that this officer is not suffering from tuberculosis now and has not suffered from this disease at any time since he relinquished his commission. Disablement by neurasthenia has, however, been admitted as due to service and was assessed at 30 per cent. by a medical board last February. Against that assessment the officer appealed to a medical appeal board which confirmed the diagnosis of neurasthenia and raised the assessment to 10 per cent. While this assessment must stand, I can assure my hon. Friend that any treatment necessary for the neurasthenia will be provided by my Department.
§ Mr. WHITEIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that when this officer appeared before the medical board the neurasthenia was wiped out, and nothing was said as to what his disability was?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThat is not my information. My information is that he appealed against the first award on the ground that he was suffering from tuberculosis, and the Medical Appeal Board confirmed the diagnosis of the first.
§ Mr. WHITERealisinģ that this cannot be decided by question and answer, I give notice that I will bring the matter up on the Adjournment oil Monday next.