§ 28 and 29. Mr. Keenanasked the Minister of Pensions (1) how many widows of ex-Service men who died in the Services or died after being discharged from the Services with coronary thrombosis have been granted pension during the past five years;
(2) how many ex-Service men who have been discharged from the Services because of coronary thrombosis have been granted pensions in the last five years.
§ Mr. IsaacsSeparate figures are not kept in respect of coronary thrombosis, but during the past five years 554 disablement pensions were awarded in respect of coronary disease, and 780 pensions were granted to widows of ex-Service men who died from that cause.
§ Mr. KeenanWould I be correct in saying that that reply means that nobody with coronary thrombosis has been granted a pension, and that the reason for that is that the medical advisers in the Ministry of Pensions have never yet admitted that stress and strain are contributory causes of coronary thrombosis? Will the Minister go into this matter, because nothing has been done so far?
§ Mr. IsaacsIf my hon. Friend or any other hon. Member will give me any special cases of this kind, I shall be very glad to look at them.
§ Mr. KeenanIs the Minister aware that a fortnight ago I gave him particulars of the case of a Liverpool sergeant, who, after 18 years' service, died from coronary thrombosis, and whose widow was refused a pension?
§ Mr. IsaacsI quite remember that case, and the decision was in line with the statement I have made.