§ 75. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the reasons for refusal of full pension to Gordon Lowe, 591, Tollcross Road, Glasgow; if he is aware that this man was wounded and both lungs punctured at the Somme, and, as a result, he is an inmate of the Argyll and Bute mental hospital suffering as a result of his war experiences, and his wife and child drawing Poor Law relief; and will he make an award of full pension to this man?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)This man is in receipt of a life pension in respect of the disablement arising from his wound. The unfortunate mental affection from which he also suffers and which has manifested itself in recent years could not be certified to be the result of the wound or of service and is, therefore, not pensionable by my Department.
§ Mr. McGOVERNseeing that the overwhelming evidence of the doctor in charge of the mental institution, and of others, is to the effect that the mental condition of this man is directly attributable to the results of his wounds, 1180 will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman be prepared to consider giving him a full pension and taking his wife and child off parish relief, thus doing justice to a very decent man who has suffered in his country's service?
§ Major TRYONThe opinion of the doctor referred to by the hon. Member is not by any means as decisive as the hon. Member suggests. I have just been through the whole of his report. In view of the importance of this case and the interest in it which I share with the hon. Member, I had the matter referred to au independent specialist, who is an eminent authority, of the highest standing, on mental cases and who was selected by the President of the Royal College of Physicians, and on his decision it is clearly made out that a claim is not established.
§ Mr. McGOVERNSeeing that his employers and others have seen the gradual deterioration in this man's physical condition directly attributable to his war wounds, a thing which no expert can judge, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to consider further this question with a view to securing some form of justice for this poor man?
§ Major TRYONAs I have assured the hon. Member, I have gone into this case very fully, and the eminent specialist's decision appears to me to settle the matter finally.
§ Mr. McGOVERNI beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply and the unjust attitude of the Department—[HON. MEMBERS "Oh!"]—Yes—I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment, and to-night if possible.