§ 1. Dr. DRUMMOND SHIELSasked the Minister of Pensions the number of 1542 persons that have received treatment for war wounds in an institution or as outpatients, respectively, who have been refused treatment allowances because they had never applied for a pension; and if he will take such action as may be necessary to ensure that men who have saved to the country the expense of paying pensions shall, when undergoing treatment in respect of wounds incurred during the Great War, be paid treatment allowances of the same amount as men who have been granted pensions?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)I have no record of the number of cases of the class referred to which do not fall to be dealt with under the Pension Warrants. At the same time, I am empowered, under special sanction, to grant allowances for the support of the men's families during the period of treatment.
§ Dr. SHIELSIs it not the case that alterations have been made in the Warrants frequently in a direction that is disadvantageous to the ex-service men, and can he see his way to grant an alteration in Article 6 of the Warrant to enable this to be done?
§ Major TRYONNo. This is not an alteration in the Warrant to the disadvantage of the men, but is an additional benefit.
§ 2. Dr. SHIELSasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. William R. Campbell, late private No. 6,312 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, of 32, Beach Lane, Musselburgh, at present an in-patient at Edenhall Ministry of Pensions hospital undergoing operative treatment for the removal of shrapnel in his left shoulder; whether he is aware that this man's medical history sheets contain records of treatment for wounds during the War; what steps are being taken to arrange for the maintenance of his lodgings and the meeting of other liabilities, as the payment of treatment allowances has been refused; and, in view of the circumstances, if he will arrange to have the man boarded for pension under the Dispensing Warrant of 1884, seeing that more than seven years have elapsed since the termination of active service?
§ Major TRYONI find that Mr. Campbell was admitted to hospital on the 23rd May, under the special arrangements made for cases of this kind, and on the 20th June he applied for an allowance on behalf of his mother. Inquiries as to her eligibility were immediately instituted, and authority will be issued for the payment of this allowance if any is found to be due to her.
§ Dr. SHIELSIs it not the case that, practically as a matter of course, when allowances are claimed for ex-service men who are not pensioners, they are refused, although the Minister says that he has special powers to grant allowances?
§ Major TRYONThe point in this case is that allowances for parents are only granted where there is dependence. If we find there is dependence the allowance will be granted.