§ Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the pension of Mr. E. M. Maton, of 4, Ellington Park Road, Ramsgate, was reduced in November, 1926, from 30 per cent. to 20 per cent.; that, on application to the medical appeal board in December, 1926, this reduction was upheld; that in May, 1927, Mr. Maton was sent to St. Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, where operative treatment was recommended but refused, as involving a general anæsthetic and as only likely to duplicate the experience of a previous similar operation; that in November, 1927, a final award of 20 per cent, was made, which was set aside by the pensions appeal tribunal; that a medical board in January, 1928, assessed the case again at 20 per cent.; and that within three weeks the medical appeal board set this assessment aside and awarded 40 per cent.; and whether the underassessment of the degree of Mr. Maton's disability which the Ministry appears to have accepted since November, 1926, will be considered with a view to back-dating the present award of 40 per cent.?
§ Major TRYONThe increased award has been given with effect from the date of appeal to the medical appeal board in accordance with the usual rules of the Ministry in such cases. There are no grounds for making an exception in Mr. Maton's case.