1. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a pension has been refused to the widow of Mr. Edmund King, a disabled soldier, who died in St. George's Hospital about six months ago after being severely wounded in one knee, one arm, and the head, with the result that both his knees were anchylosed, and that he suffered from chronic septic arthritis and periodical attacks of erysipelas in the head; and if he will have the matter looked into and see whether something can be done to meet this case immediately?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)The pensioner in this case died of Addison's disease. The merits of the claim were most carefully considered, but the Ministry were unable to connect the fatal disease with the pensioner's war disabilities, and the Ministry's view was confirmed on consultation with expert opinion at the hospital where the man was under treatment. In these circumstances, my Department was, I regret, unable to admit the claim. Mrs. King has, however, a right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, and has been notified accordingly.
Sir F. HALLIs it not the fact that this man was in receipt of a 100 per cent. pension at the time when he was removed from Seal Mansions into the hospital; and does not my right hon. Friend consider that these two things, running one after the other, both have a bearing on the man's case, especially in view of the fact that the man was in the best of health when he joined the Army?
§ Major TRYONI shall be glad to put forward any consideration that would be helpful to the widow, but, in these matters, we have to be guided by medical opinion. If my hon. and gallant Friend can put forward anything that would help the case, I shall be most glad to send it on.