110. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of officers 1201 and other ranks that have been in receipt of pension for neurasthenia for four years or more; how many of these are in receipt of life pensions; and whether he will arrange for the men not in receipt of a final award to be boarded with a view to the award of life pensions, having regard to the psychological effect that a permanent pension would have on their disability?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon); The number of pensions at present in payment for neurasthenia is about 32,000, of which about 12,000 have been awarded for life. Of the balance, about 17,000 pensioners have been in receipt of pension for four years or more, and I can assure the hon. Member that the possibility of making final awards in these cases is constantly kept in view in connection with the medical re-examination of cases.
111. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Pensions the number of men in receipt of institutional treatment for neurasthenia; where the hospitals are situated; and what is the estimated total yearly cost of providing treatment for pensioners suffering from neurasthenia?
§ Major T. C. TRYONThe number of men in receipt of in-patient treatment for neurasthenia in the first week of the present month was 1,809. I will cause the list of hospitals to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The yearly cost of the treatment given in Ministry hospitals for this class of case is approximately £250,000.
§ Following is the list of hospitals:
§ Craigleith, Scotland; Edenhall, Scotland; Castle Leazes, Newcastle; Harrowby Camp, Grantham; Saltash, Plymouth; Coombe Park, Bath; Ewell, Epsom; Orpington, Kent; Leopardstown Park, Dublin; Craigavon, Northern Ireland.