48. Dr. VERNON DAVIESasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the late Private Fred Styles, No. T R 32 5/70623, received a pension on the grounds that the disease from which I suffered had been aggravated by military service and was granted in addition an allowance for his two illegitimate children whom he supported, and that on his death the allowance for the children was stopped; and, as there must have been some connection between the man's military service and his early death, will he treat this as an exceptional case by continuing the grant, which will prevent the children having to be sent to the workhouse?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThe children referred to are, as my hon. Friend has already been informed, not eligible for an award, as the circumstances of the man's death, which was due to an ailment of pre-enlistment origin, are, I am advised, not such as to indicate any material connection with his brief War service of nine months at home in the Training Reserve. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend cannot see his way to adopt the course suggested.
Dr. DAVIESAs this man was given a pension, does it not prove that the Army regarded his disability as due to War service?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYNo, this is a case where the man had a pre-enlistment disability, which was very slightly aggravated by service in the War.