HC Deb 17 February 1942 vol 377 cc1665-6W
Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire further into the circumstances attending the refusal of a war pension to the widow of the late Gunner H. G., Williams, reference No. B/5/W2/3151, who enlisted in April last, was taken ill in September, and died whilst undergoing an operation in October?

Sir W. Womersley

In view of the somewhat unusual circumstances of this case I am arranging for it to be referred to an independant medical expert for advice.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the definition of war injury and war service injury in the Memorandum recently issued by his Department, revising the Memorandum issued in September, 1939, persons suffering from shock or mental disability arising directly or indirectly from enemy action or from combating enemy action are entitled to injury allowances under the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939; and, if not, why not?

Sir W. Womersley

The Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, provides for the grant of injury allowances in respect of war injuries and war service injuries, both of which are defined in the Act as physical injuries. Injuries to the brain as the direct result of concussion, and cases of shock originating from direct exposure to bomb explosion or blast in which the resulting incapacity for work starts from the time of the incident, may be accepted as physical injuries for the purposes of compensation under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme. Compensation is not payable under the scheme for neurasthenia and similar sickness induced merely by apprehension and fears occasioned by enemy activity in which there is no physical injury.