§ 7. Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that John Thomas Bowdler, No. 18,145, South Staffordshire Regiment, now residing at 18, Pagett's Passage, Wednesbury, recently applied for a pension for disability due to pulmonary tuberculosis; that the Ministry opposed the claim; that the medical report of 4th April, 1922, indicated that Bowdler's disability was 100 per cent, due to pulmonary tuberculosis; that Bowdler suffered the amputation of his left leg due to gunshot wounds; that the T.B. officer reported on the 18th May, 1922, that the amputation of the leg, plus the effects of gas poisoning 870 of Bowdler in 1916, largely contributed to the development of pulmonary tuberculosis; that the reports of his approved society show that Bowdler enjoyed good health before the War and had received no benefits; that his local medical attendant stated he had known Bowdler for 20 years and had never treated him for tuberculosis; that, in consequence of the opposition of the Ministry, the Pension Appeal Tribunal rejected Bowdler's application; that Bowdler was an inmate of the Moxley Sanatorium, Wednesbury, when his appeal was rejected; and, having regard to these facts, is he prepared to reconsider this case?
§ Major TRYONThe claim in respect of tuberculosis was rejected by the Ministry as, after full consideration of all the circumstances, it was not found possible to accept the condition as being connected with service, which ended more than five years before the first appearance of the disease. This decision has been confirmed by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and is therefore final. I may add that the man is in receipt of a permanent pension at the 60 per cent, rate in respect, of his wounds.