HC Deb 23 March 1937 vol 321 cc2728-9
23. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men were discharged from the Army through sickness and ill-health during 1936; and how many of these receive or will receive, either pensions or some kind of financial assistance?

Mr. Cooper

During 1936, 1,786 men were discharged from the Army and Army Reserve as invalids. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available, but during the year referred to, 1,800 new applications for disability awards were preferred. Pensions, permanent and temporary, were awarded in 398 cases, and gratuities in 813 cases.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that there is disquiet in certain quarters that men who have been in the Army should have been discharged and secured no compensation whatsoever?

Mr. Cooper

I should be very sorry if there were such disquiet, but if the hon. Member will bring any case to my knowledge I will certainly look into it.