§ 40. Mr. POTTSasked the Minister of Pensions what procedure he proposes respecting Mr. Ernest Gillett's increased pension claim, having regard to the fact now proved that chronic arthritis, originated in the right leg, injured the knee, spread to the entire right leg, then to the right arm, partially left the right arm and extended to the left leg, resulting in total paralysis of both legs; and, having regard to the fact that Gillett states that he has no knowledge of any statement written by him implying that his accident arose when he was off duty, is he prepared to produce this statement?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThe fact alleged by the hon. Member has not been proved. The paralysis to which he refers commenced in the left leg, and not until several years after Mr. Gillett's discharge; my right hon. Friend is advised that it cannot be held to be connected with the injury to the right knee which has been accepted. The statement referred to in the last paragraph of the question is contained in the official records of the War Office. The circumstances of the original disability are not, however, of importance for the hon. Member's purpose, since that injury was accepted for compensation.
§ Mr. POTTSIs it not a fact that it is stated in some of the documents that both right and left legs are affected, and did not the right hon. Gentleman state in the House a few nights ago that the trouble was in the right leg, and now he says that it is the left leg?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYI am sorry that I cannot persuade the hon. Member to realise the difference between the right and the left legs. I have told him all along that the disability of arthritis of the knee originated in the right leg, and for that we have pensioned Mr. Gillett. Subsequently, paralysis set in in the left leg, and we say that that is not connected with the injury to the right knee, and cannot be accepted for pension.
§ Mr. POTTSI am entitled to have the latter part of this question answered. Only a few nights ago, in discussing this matter—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe had this matter thrashed out on the Motion for the Adjournment.
§ Mr. POTTSMay I ask the Parliamentary Secretary a further question. [Interruption.] I will wait until I get order. Is it not a fact that, with regard to the point about where the accident happened, I have the documents in my hand, or copies of them—[Interruption]. It is a fact.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am afraid that the hon. Member cannot argue his case now. This is not the time for argument.
§ Mr. POTTSOn a point of Order. It is in the question, and I am entitled to have it out on this question. The Department do not know where the information came from, and the document which I hold is a copy of it—[Interruption]. You will not get me down; I am the wrong man for that.