§ 37. Mr. GWYNNEasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Private A. G. D., Royal Marine Light Infantry, who was discharged from the Navy in November last suffering from spinal consumption, and was informed that his pension would be sent him in due course, but in spite of this promise later received a communication that he was not eligible, and on further inquiries being made it-was admitted after much delay that the mistake arose by a misreading of the doctor's report of "yes" for "no": and, in view of the great inconvenience suffered by this man, will he have special inquiries made and see that mistakes of this kind do not occur again?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)The Ministry were not in a position to deal with this case until the end of May when the invaliding papers were received. I much regret that an erroneous notification of rejection was sent to the man; but I may say that the mistake was discovered within a week and corrected by an award of pension. Pension is now in payment and all arrears owing have been issued.
§ Mr. GWYNNEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that at the end of last week this pensioner had not been paid?
§ Major TRYONI am giving my information up to date. I have already ordered an inquiry to see how this mistake came to be made, so as to avoid the like in future.
§ Mr. GWYNNEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I received a letter from this man on Saturday, saying he had not been paid, although he wrote earlier saying he had been?