HC Deb 07 December 1939 vol 355 cc819-21
82. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered the protest sent to him by a Leyton women's organisation respecting the discharge from hospital of certain soldiers wounded in or affected by the last war; and whether he intends, at an early date, to enable these patients to return to hospital, and thus relieve them of suffering and their families of a severe burden?

Sir W. Womersley

I have received the representations referred to. No bar is placed in the way of the re-admission to a Ministry or other hospital of any patient in whose case a medical officer of the Department can certify that re-admission is necessary for his treatment.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the hon. Gentleman not think it is rather a disgraceful thing that tragic victims of the last war should be further victimised in this war? Should not these unfortunate people receive special consideration?

Sir W. Womersley

The hon. Gentleman is entirely mistaken. I do not accept any of the statements he has made.

Mr. Sorensen

Can the hon. Gentleman say that none of these patients has been discharged from hospital recently?

Sir W. Womersley

Patients have been discharged who have been certified as fit for discharge.

Mr. Sorensen

Would they have been discharged had there not been a war?

85. Mr. Ammon

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Private Norman Boyton, 62nd Anti-Tank Regiment, was mobilised as fit for active service on 2nd September; that on 15th September his parents were notified of the soldier's death; that compensation was refused on the grounds that death was not attributable to military service; and, as Private Boyton had never previously had a day's illness, will he make inquiries with a view to compensation for loss of earnings?

Sir W. Womersley

My Department has received no official notification of the case referred to, but I am making further inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

86. Mr. Ammon

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that No. MX 56195 E.R.A. Joseph Edward Highfield lost his life in the disaster to His Majesty's Ship "Royal Oak," and that payment of pension to his mother has been refused; and can the grounds for such refusal be stated?

Sir W. Womersley

The parents of a member of the Forces killed in action are eligible for pension if incapable of self-support through age or infirmity and in pecuniary need. Mr. High field does not claim to be incapacitated, and pecuniary need has not been shown to exist. If, however, the parents' circumstances should alter materially at a later date I shall be ready to consider the case afresh.

Mr. Ammon

Does the Minister not know that this man's mother is a cripple, and that the reason this question is down is pecuniary need, there having been a loss of £1 a week in income?

Sir W. Womersley

If there is any-pecuniary need I can deal with the case, and I will make further inquiries.

87. Mr. Stephen

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider the case of Mrs. Coull, of Rossie Terrace, Ferryden, Montrose, widow of Mr. John Coull an able-bodied seaman in the Royal Naval Reserve, who was refused a pension in spite of the strong evidence of the medical superintendent of the Royal Asylum, Montrose, that her husband's death was due to war service; and why this evidence was rejected as Mr. Coull was never examined by the medical officers of the Ministry who advised a rejection of his claim?

Sir W. Womersley

I am making inquiries in this case and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.