§ 11. Brigadier Petoasked the Minister of Pensions when Mr. J. C. Potter, of the Post Office, Challacombe, North Devon, who has been unable to work at his trade of shoeingsmith for the past three years by reason of a spinal disability incurred on active service in 1916, is likely to receive a reply to his application for a medical board, dated 10th January, 1946.
§ The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Marquand)Mr. Potter's letter did not contain an application for a medical board but inquired whether there were any means of helping him owing to his being unemployed. Shortly after the receipt of this letter Mr. Potter's pension and allowances were increased by 18s. 9d. a week, and he made no further application. I am, however, now arranging for Mr. Potter to be medically examined and as soon as the report of this examination is received I will consider what further action I can take to help him.
§ Brigadier PetoIs the Minister aware that I have here his formal acknowledgement, on MPR 150 from his Ministry, dated 17th January, 1946, of the application for a medical board? Is he further aware that the final paragraph says:
In view of the large number of cases to be dealt with it is particularly requested that you should not in the meantime make any further application,655 and that Mr. Potter has abided by that request until now, when he was written to me?
§ Mr. MarquandYes, Sir. I think it was a genuine misunderstanding about the purport of his letter. I will now try to get the examination done as quickly as possible.