HC Deb 13 March 1922 vol 151 cc1790-1W
Mr. FINNEY

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Private Samuel Johnson, No. 15490, 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, Salonika, present address 57, Plex Street, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, who was discharged as no longer physically fit for war after two years and 261 days with the colours and in the Army Reserve, place, Hounslow, date, 12th October, 1917, conduct very satisfactory; whether he is aware that he has a blind wife and four children, the eldest just over 13 years of age, pension 19s. 1d., and the medical board certified him incapacitated 50 per cent, degree; that he has lately been discharged from hospital at Hednesford as incurable; and whether he will inquire further respecting this case with a view to the allowances being increased to meet the necessities of this ex-soldier, his blind wife, and their young children?

Major TRYON

I am having immediate steps taken to have this man examined by a medical board, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

Mr. FINNEY

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private Thomas Henry Cotton, No. 4,442, 2nd North Staffordshire Regiment, present address, 25, Goodfellow Street, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, 12 years and 34 days with the colours, 10 years and 188 days abroad, served in Dublin, Egypt, India, and the Soudan; medals: Soudan, 1896, Queen's clasp (Hafer), Khedive's 1896; re-engaged for Section O, Army Reserve, on 27th April, 1906, and was discharged on 26th April, 1910; re-enlisted for the late War on 25th September, 1914, as Private T. H. Cotton, No. 9,841, North Staffs Regiment, and joined the North Staffs Regiment in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force; medals: 1914–15 star, service, and Victory; was invalided home through illness, and discharged on 27th June as no longer physically fit for War service with a temporary disablement pension of 8s. per week: whether he is aware that Cotton is totally incapacitated and unable to follow his employment; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to increasing the disablement pension, and granting this ex-soldier an additional pension for his previous long service with the colours?

Major TRYON

The pension of 8s a week represents the extent of disablement as assessed by a medical board last December. If the man considers that his condition has since become materially worse he may apply through his local committee for the re-consideration of his case on that ground. I regret that his period of service is not sufficient to qualify him for an additional award in respect of service.