§ 8. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Sharkey, widow of Edward Sharkey, No. 363,761, Labour Corps, has been allowed a pension of 5s. 6d. per week for herself and four children; that Erward Sharkey was discharged from the Army on account of gunshot wounds; that he had wounds on the fingers of the left hand, the matter coming from which was poisonous; that Mrs. Sharkey was warned not to touch these wounds; and that as soon as he was dead mortification set in, the body turning black; and whether he will have this case reopened with a view to granting a more satisfactory allowance to this woman and her children?
§ Major TRYONThis man died more than three years after discharge from an attack of acute pneumonia lasting only four days. The Ministry, after full consideration of all the circumstances, were 871 unable to accept the cause of death as being connected with service, and that decision, having been confirmed by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, is final. I regret, therefore, that ho greater pension than that already awarded under Article 17 of the Royal Warrant can be given by my Department.