HC Deb 12 March 1925 vol 181 cc1479-80
1. Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTS

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. T. W. Moor, of Colva, Withington, Hereford, was awarded a final weekly allowance of 7s. 6d. a week for 104 weeks, plus a terminal gratuity of £20; that, on appeal on the 31st August, 1923, the Ministry's award was confirmed; that, at the latter end of September, 1924, he under- went an operation at Birmingham with regard to the said wound; and that, as a result of this operation, he has lost a large amount of muscle, with a consequential serious loss of grip of the right hand; what was the assessment of the medical officer of the Ministry who examined him in Hereford after the operation and the finding of the medical board who examined him in Birmingham; and whether in view of the difference between his present permanent disability and the minor disability for which he was given a final award three years ago, he will allow a reopening of the case?

Captain Viscount CURZON

(for Major TRYON): My right hon. Friend understands that in the case referred to, following a course of treatment which involved a minor surgical operation, the question of the correctness of the assessment of the final award was, in accordance with the usual arrangements, considered by the Ministry. Following medical examination and consideration of the case however, it was found that no material increase of disablement of a permanent nature had resulted and that the man's condition would materially improve. In these circumstances there was no ground for regarding the final award as having been made in error. Should the prognosis of the case, however, not materialise in the manner expected, it will, of course, be open to further consideration.

Mr. ROBERTS

Will the Noble Lord be good enough to answer that part of the question which asks what was the assessment of the medical officer of the Ministry who examined him in Hereford after the operation?

Viscount CURZON

I am afraid I am not able to answer that part of the question, but I will convey the matter to my right hon. Friend.