§ 72. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. C. W. Bridgeman, of 74, Lyppiatt Road, Redfield, Bristol, has had his pension stopped in spite of the fact that he was in August, 1922, admitted to be suffering from a 20 per cent. permanent disability for which he was awarded a pension; that the varicose veins from which Mr. Bridgeman suffered were seriously aggravated by his military service; that such aggravation could not fail to have a permanent effect owing to the nature of the trouble; and whether he will take steps to secure that the pension will be restored?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYMr. Bridge-man, who, on enlistment in June, 1918, was found to be suffering from varicose veins, was discharged from service four months later owing to this ailment, and the condition was accepted as aggravated by service. He was in receipt of pension until August, 1922, when it was medically considered that the temporary effects of aggravation by service had passed away. 1299 He appealed to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in November of the same year, but his appeal was disallowed, and the Ministry's decision upheld. The decision of the Tribunal is final, and I am not aware of any circumstances which would justify me in reopening the case.
§ Mr. BAKERSeeing that Mr. Bridge-man's condition is said to be considerably worse than it was at the time when he was last examined, can he be re-examined to see what his condition is?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYIf the hon. Member will communicate with me, I shall be glad to discuss the question with him, but he must remember that the Appeal Tribunal did confirm the Ministry's decision in the case.
§ Major COLFOXHow much active war service, if any, did this man perform?