§ Mr. G. BARKERasked the Minister of Pensions if he will grant the claim for full pension made by an ex-service man, Private John Godwin, No. 20288, 1st Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, at present residing at 64, Railway Street, Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire, who is a cripple on only 20 per cent, pension, though totally unable to follow his employment, and whose disability has been certified to be due to war service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONPension has been awarded for rheumatism, which has been accepted as aggravated by service, the rate being in accordance with the degree of disablement assessed by a Survey Board and recently confirmed by a Medical Appeal Board. In these circumstances there are no grounds for increasing the present award.
§ Mr. HANCOCKasked the Minister of Pensions why pension has been discontinued in the case of Private William Brearley, 174th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, who was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service, and is now unable to work as the result of such war service; and whether a grant can be made in this case to enable the man to go into a little business with a view to obtaining a living for himself, his wife, and three young children?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt was decided by the Ministry and confirmed by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal that the disability in this case is unconnected with service, and the man is not therefore entitled to any compensation in addition to the pension granted to him in 1916 for 18 months. I regret that a grant to enable the man to start a business cannot be made from funds at my disposal.