§ Mr. FALLEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that Samuel Thomas Bartlett, chief petty officer, served for twenty-six years up to April, 1911, and then re-engaged for five years after being medically examined and passed fit; that Bartlett was appointed captain of a turret and had heavy weights to lift, and about May, 1913, he fell ill and was treated for bronchitis by the ship's doctor, but still feeling ill he saw his club doctor, Dr. Colt, who told him he had strained his heart, the big valve being gone, and that he must leave the Service; is he aware that Bartlett was sent home by Dr. Colt, who sent a certificate to the ship, and the ship's doctor called, recognised Bartlett's illness as heart disease and sent him to Haslar, from which three months later Bartlett was discharged as incurable, and died in the December following, leaving a widow and three little children; and, seeing that so far nothing has been done, will the Admiralty assist, by way of pension or otherwise, the dependants of the late S. T. Bartlett?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere is no evidence that Bartlett was medically examined and passed fit before re-engagement in April, 1911, nor do the regulations provide for such examination in cases 605W where, as in this instance, re-engagement takes place without a break in service. The statement of the hon Member that Bartlett was treated by the ship's doctor for bronchitis is incorrect. Bartlett is noted as not having been previously on the sick list in the ship, and as having made no complaint. He was seen by a medical officer from the ship at his home, and it was considered advisable to leave him there until 24th June, 1912, when he was transferred to Haslar Hospital. In the opinion of the medical advisers of the Admiralty there is little doubt that the heart trouble was of long standing, and, as Bartlett's death cannot be attributed to extraordinary exertion or exposure on service, I regret that, as the matter stands, there are no funds at the disposal of the Admiralty from which assistance can be afforded to his dependants by way of pension or otherwise. However, in view of the reference in the question to the testimony of Dr. Colt, I propose to institute further inquiries into the matter.