§ 11. Mr. LEACHasked the Minister of Pensions if he will cause to be reopened the case of John William Boland, of 98, Abbey Street, Bradford, late of the Royal Garrison Artillery. No. 154,530, who served 2¾ years with the colours in the Great War and who was demobilised on 10th January, 1920, after signing a statement that his health was sound in order to get home quickly, but who failed to report that he had previously been struck on the head by a shell fragment which caused nervous instability, later developing into temporary paralysis of the right side and of his speech, and which has now disabled him from work for the past year; and whether the refusal of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal (23rd June, 1922, reference 4/MB/13,944) to grant him a pension can now be reviewed in face of the new evidence, which is supported by his own doctor, A. F. Martin, Melrose, Heaton, Bradford, in a letter dated 30th January, 1923?
§ Major TRYONNo evidence has so far been produced, and there is no record in the official papers of any wound such as is mentioned in the question. The opinion referred to of the man's doctor has not reached me, but opinions previously expressed by him received full consideration from my medical advisers and were before the tribunal which confirmed the decision of the Ministry.
§ Mr. LEACHWould the pensioner be permitted to raise this matter if he were prepared to give evidence in support of it, in accordance with the particulars I have put down here?
§ Major TRYONIf the hon. Member will send me further particulars, I shall be glad to consider them.