§ 10. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Andrew Paterson, 15, Langlands Road, Govan, is being paid his pension at the rate for a private although he held the rank of company sergeant-major, to which he was promoted on the 18th September, 1916; that all the documents dealing with his hospital and medical treatment recognise his rank; that Army Form W. 3.555 states Andrew Paterson, No. 40,684, company sergeant-major; that his field medical card, Army Form W. 3,118, dated 25th November, 1916, and Army Form W. 3,201, both recognise his rank; and that the Ministry's official form M.P. M.S.D. 62B, date 2nd June, 1924, also recognises his rank as company sergeant-major, Highland Light Infantry; and whether, in view of the documentary evidence which proves this man to have held this rank and to have been sent to his home while holding this rank, he will sec that the pension payable for this rank is paid to this ex-soldier?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYIt has been necessary to get the man's documents from Scotland and they only arrived this morning. My right hon. Friend has not therefore been able to complete his inquiries into this case. He will, however, communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the documents give this man the rank that he is entitled to receive his pension for instead of being merely a private I have a copy in my hand.
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYI told the hon. Member that the papers only arrived this morning, and it has not been possible to examine them thoroughly. As soon as they have been examined I will inform him.
§ Mr. MACLEANHas not this man been complaining and protesting for quite a time that he was getting a pension at the rate of a private instead of a company sergeant-major, and in that case should not the Minister have taken action long ago?