§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. J. Mocock, who, after twenty-three years' service with the Colours and twelve and a half years at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, was discharged in or about December of last year, without 798W gratuity, at the age of fifty-five years; whether Mr. Mocock forwarded to the authorities of the factory a report of a specialist, stating that he was still fully capable of lighter employment; whether such certificate was taken into consideration by the medical board that examined Mocock on 4th March, 1913; what was the finding of the board; why it was not communicated to Mocock himself; and whether, in view of this man's long public service, employment can be found in order to allow him to retire at sixty years with the prescribed gratuity?
Mr. BAKERMy attention has been called to this case. The specialist's report forwarded by Mr. Mocock contained no suggestion of capability for light employment. The finding of the board, held on the 4th March, was not considered sufficiently conclusive, and a second board, held on 18th March, reported Mr. Mocock unfit for any employment involving strain, mental or physical. After receipt of this board's proceedings, he was informed that he could be given no further employment. I regret that, in view of Mr. Mocock's state of health, it is not possible to alter this decision.