§ 50. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the case of Alfred Welch, 20, Hume Road, Notting Hill, London, who, after three months' training, was on war service at Ypres and the Somme, being there severely wounded; that the Ministry granted this man full disability pension, but afterwards reduced it to 8s. per week, terminating their liability by a gratuity of £10 in 1920; that the man's disability became aggravated to the extent that later he was admitted to Roehampton 1709 Hospital and one leg was amputated; and whether he will state what provision is now made for this man's maintenance?
§ Major GEORGE DAVIES (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is familiar with this case. He is informed that Mr. Welch was never assessed at 100 per cent., but drew pension at 70 per cent. for a few months, after which his disablement fell to 20 per cent. In 1921 he was found not to be disabled to such an extent as to justify the continuance of pension, and he received a weekly allowance for 52 weeks, followed by a terminal gratuity of £10. Except for a short period of out-patient treatment in 1926 and 1927 nothing further was heard of him until 1932, since when he has received a considerable amount of treatment from the Ministry, with allowances amounting to £2 14s. 6d. a week while maintained in hospital, and £3 3s. 6d. a week while living at home. Following the amputation of his leg he has continued under treatment and is at present receiving 3s. 6d. a week at home until able to use the artificial leg supplied by the Ministry. He will then receive pension at the rate appropriate to his amputation.