§ 4. Mr. SCRYMGEOURasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that No. 24,662, Gunner T. Brophy, Royal Garrison Artillery, discharged 13th August, 1918, suffering from neurasthenia, has been in and out of mental hospitals since that time, his wife always receiving treatment allowance; that he was notified on 11th July, 1928, of an award of 100 per cent. pension; that on 18th November last he had to be removed to Dundee Eastern Hospital for observation, and on 1st January transferred to West Green Asylum; that the Ministry, having informed Mrs. Brophy of the parish council claiming against her husband's pension, also intimated to her that the pension would therefore be reduced to 28s. 10d. per week; that Mrs. Brophy, with a young family of seven children, has been obliged to apply to the parish council for relief, receiving last week the sum of 12s. 6d.; and will he now arrange for the patient being removed to one of the Ministry's institutions, renewing treatment allowance at £3 0s. 6d. per week to Mrs. Brophy as formerly?
§ Major TRYONAccording to the information in the possession of the Ministry, the man referred to had not previously been in a mental hospital, and the temporary reduction of the payment made to his wife was occasioned by the claim made by the local authority pending determination of the man's position. The amount deducted was, however, refunded to Mrs. Brophy more than a week ago, and her husband's pension of 50s. a week 1272 is being paid in full to her, less a small amount of pocket money provided for him. The entire cost of his maintenance and treatment is being defrayed by the Ministry. The case is not eligible during treatment for any payment in excess of this amount. With regard to the last part of the question, should it at any time appear to the mental authorities concerned that Mr. Brophy would benefit by removal to one of the special mental institutions provided by the Ministry, arrangements will be made accordingly.
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURIn view of the circumstances appertaining to this man's sustained mental depression, could not the Ministry arrange, in accordance with the original undertaking in the early stages of the War, that all mental cases should be provided for in Government institutions?
§ Major TRYONI think the hon. Member has not heard my answer, which was that this man is being provided for.
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURYes, but at present is it not the case that the patient is in a Poor Law institution, and I am asking precisely if the right hon. Gentleman cannot arrange, according to the undertaking originally given in the War, that such cases should be provided for in a mental institution under the Government—that is, a mental institution controlled by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?
§ Major TRYONNo such undertaking was ever given, though I was myself responsible for starting two special institutions for suitable cases, and, if this case were found to be suitable, it would be so dealt with.
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURMr. Barnes did so.