§ 9. Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Michael McCluskey, of 33, Cessnock Street, Ibrox, Glasgow, Identity No. 1/M.M./27,918, was invalided home with malaria and gastritis and was on treatment all the time and never drew the pension allowed him; that McCluskey has been in and out of hospital ever since and also attended by his panel doctor; that on Friday, 3rd February, 1928, McCluskey was visited by Dr. Ross, staff doctor, Ministry of Pensions, who examined him and signed him fit for work; that on Sunday, 5th February, at 10 a.m., McCluskey had to be removed in an ambulance to the Western Infirmary and went through a temporary life-saving operation at 10.45 a.m. for perforation in the stomach; that on Tuesday, 7th February, he received a notice from the Ministry of Pensions area office that no special treatment was required; that McCluskey had to remain in the Western Infirmary for five weeks, where he was visited by Colonel Richardson on behalf of the Ministry of Pensions, who told him that the Ministry of Pensions would take him over to complete the operation; that, on leaving the infirmary, he was placed on outdoor treatment allowance, the treatment consisting of being attended by his panel doctor; that McCluskey was then admitted to the Ministry's hospital at Bellahouston to undergo the second operation, and was 11 weeks there; that the surgeon informed him that he was too weak to be operated on and must have his strength built up; that this surgeon went on holiday and, during his absence, McCluskey received a notice for his discharge from the hospital as, owing to continued progress, no further treatment was required; that this was signed by the medical superintendent of Bellahouston Hospital; that the house doctor cancelled this discharge and ordered McCluskey back to bed; that in July, while the house doctor was on holiday, the medical superintendent discharged McCluskey from hospital on the ground that he required no further treatment; 1052 and that Dr. Hutton, of the Western Infirmary, has stated that the Ministry will not complete the operation; and whether he can state why there has been so much delay in treating this man?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIn view of the length of this question, I would express the hope that hon. Members will endeavour to keep the length of their questions within the smallest possible limits.
§ Mr. MACLEANI quite agree, Sir. I very seldom put down a question of this length, but it was necessary to state all these facts in order to draw the attention of the Minister to what has taken place in this particular case.
§ Major TRYONI am inquiring into the facts of this case, but in the short time available—the notice of the question was only received yesterday—it has not been possible to obtain the information. I will communicate further with the hon. Member directly I receive the particulars.
§ Mr. MACLEANIf I put this question down in a shorter form next week, will the Minister then be able to give me the information?
§ Major TRYONI shall be very happy to supply the hon. Member with all the information that is available. The Director-General of Medical Services is in Glasgow to-day on Ministry of Pensions work, and he will extend his inquiries to this case.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIf the Minister will look at the questions which have been put to him to-day he will see that the House is dissatisfied with the administration of the Ministry of Pensions.