§ 7. Mr. BAKERasked the Minister of Pensions whether his personal attention has been called to the case of George Harry Hawkins, of 4, Great Western Street, Barton Bill, Bristol; whether he is aware that Mr. Hawkins enlisted on 15th February, 1917, and served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment for two years and one month, including 15 months in France; that he was admitted to hospital in France on 11th October, 1918, suffering from neurasthenia, due to being blown up by a shell: that he was found to be unfit for military service, and was discharged in March, 1919, the disability being assessed at rates varying from 30 per cent. to 50 per cent. during the period between that date and October, 1922; that the Ministry decided in October, 1922, that he was suffering from congenital amentia at the time of his enlistment: whether he is aware that Mr. Hawkins has developed tuberculosis, which is becoming rapidly worse: and whether, seeing that Mr. Hawkins was accepted as sound on enlistment, he will make some special provision for the compassionate treatment of this case?
Mr. ROBERTSI am looking into the facts of this case and will communicate later with my hon. Friend.