HC Deb 16 August 1920 vol 133 cc600-1W
Lieut.-Commander YOUNG

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the cases of Imogen Pamela Long and Henry James Long (No. T/292,286, driver, Royal Army Service Corps), her son, of 29, Edinburgh Road, Norwich; whether Henry James Long suffers from fits attributable to the effects of active service, but has been refused a pension; whether Mrs. Long, a widow with small children, has had her pension in respect of another son, killed in Mesopotamia, reduced on the grounds that H. J. Long can contribute to her support, whereas his disability prevents him from doing so; and whether he will consider the cases with a view to further assistance being granted?

Major TRYON

Driver Long did not claim to be impaired on demobilisation, but subsequently preferred a claim to pension under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant. After full consideration of the case, it was not found possible to accept the disability (epilepsy), as due to or aggravated by military service, and this decision was confirmed, on appeal, by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal whose verdict is final. The pension now being paid to Mrs. Long in respect of her late son, Private D. A. Long, is the maximum admissible, having regard to the latest information as to the financial position of the household. If, however, Mrs. Long's circumstances have recently changed for the worse, application to her local War Pensions Committee will ensure immediate reconsideration of her case.