§ 33. Mr. Geoffrey Hutchinsonasked the Secretary of State for Air why a leading aircraftwoman, particulars of whom have been supplied to him, was discharged from the W.A.A.F. on 8th May, 1944, as fit for selective employment in civil life when she was in fact an in-patient at a civilian hospital suffering from a disability which has now been accepted as aggravated by her service; and what steps are taken to ensure that W.A.A.F. personnel are not discharged to civil life until they are able to resume civil occupation or some other provision is available for them.
§ Sir A. SinclairI regret that this air-woman's discharge certificate was incor- 1812 rectly endorsed, although I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions that this endorsement has not affected the amount of pension she has been awarded. In reply to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. Daggar) on 27th February.
§ Mr. HutchinsonDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that the fact that this girl's certificate was wrongly endorsed has resulted in considerable delay in the issue of a pension to her; and will he agree that some steps are necessary to prevent a recurrence of this nature?
§ Sir A. SinclairCertainly. It is an unfortunate incident and, of course, it has been brought to the attention of those concerned.