1. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered the case of Mr. Frank Faulkner, of 3, Devonshire Terrace, Northampton, who was discharged from Birmingham Hospital as fit on 7th December on the understanding that he would return later for operation; that on 9th December his wound reopened and, after subsequent inspection at Northamp- 1824 ton on 10th December and by the D.C.M.S. on 12th December, he was informed that he must return to hospital as soon as a vacancy was available for him; that he was not able to re-enter hospital until 2nd January, 1929; that during the interval he was only in receipt of 8s. pension per week, but owing to the state of his wound was incapable of taking work; and whether, in view of the circumstances, he will see whether Mr. Faulkner should be awarded the full pension or allowances for the period whilst he was awaiting return to hospital?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)Both the condition of, and the treatment necessary in this case were, as I have already informed the hon. Member, unnecessarily interrupted by the patient's insistence upon postponement of the minor operation required. The palliative treatment which was given during the brief period pending his re-admission for the purpose of operation could not be certified as warranting the payment of special allowances.
Mr. MALONEIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this man states categorically that he was offered the opportunity of having an operation before or after Christmas, and how does he adjudicate between what the man says and what the doctor says? Is he not aware that after the case was brought to his notice the man was reprimanded by the D.C.M.S. for bringing his case to a Member of Parliament?
§ Major TRYONI will inquire into the allegations made by the hon. Member before replying to them, but it is obvious that allowances cannot be given when a man, by his own desire, ceases to have treatment.