§ 9. Mr. Hoggasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of the late Dr. W. B. Highet, an orthopædic surgeon of great ability employed at the Wingfield-Morris 6 Orthopædic Hospital, who volunteered for service in a special appointment in South Africa, carrying a major's rank, at the urgent request of certain military medical authorities, but was commissioned with the rank only of lieutenant and died by enemy action at sea before taking up his appointment; and whether he will so use his dispensing power under the warrant as to ensure his widow and child, now almost destitute, a pension comparable with his status in the profession and the work on which he was employed?
§ Sir J. GriggThis case has been carefully considered. As I have explained to my hon. Friend a vacancy on an establishment is not regarded as filled until the occupant assumes duty. This officer was commissioned as a lieutenant and there is nothing to show that he was promised any other rank before he took up his appointment in South Africa. I sympathise with his wife and family and with the efforts which my hon. Friend has made on their behalf. Tragic as this case is, it is, I regret, not an isolated case and does not call for the exercise of special powers.
§ Sir J. GriggI think that if the failure to provide for circumstances which have not arisen is an injustice then practically the whole of this world is an injustice.
§ Mr. HoggIs my right hon. Friend aware that this case has been the subject of indignant comment by the High Commissioner for New Zealand, the Nuffield Professor of Orthopædic Surgery, the consulting surgeon to the British Army, and certain other medical officers of his own Department?
§ Sir J. GriggAbout my own Department, I will look into that matter. I have had some correspondence with the High Commissioner for New Zealand, and in that correspondence indignation was not expressed. I do not see how it is possible to pay pension or disability awards on the basis of appointments which have never been occupied.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallMay I ask whether this rule is general; would it apply, for instance, to a high ranking officer who is given an appointment abroad?
§ Sir J. GriggThat is usually so, if the appointment previously occupied was lower.
§ Mr. HoggOn a point of Order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I propose to take an opportunity of raising this matter on the Adjournment.