§ Mr. FARRELLasked the Pensions Minister if he will consider the case of J. Walshe, late No. 49781, Northumberland Fusiliers, now residing at Great Water Street, Longford, who was discharged from the Army on 16th May last suffering from caries of the spine and neurasthenia, and who has a wife and large family dependent on him and is unfitted to take up any employment?
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§ Mr. PARKERMr. J. Walshe, late Northumberland Fusiliers, is drawing pension at the rate of 5s. 6d. a week, with an allowance of 3s. 2d. a week for three children. This is one-fifth of the full rate of pension and is in accordance with the extent of disablement as found by the invaliding medical board. Any appeal by Mr. Walshe against this assessment supported by medical testimony, will be considered.
§ Mr. FARRELLasked the Pensions Minister whether he has dealt with the case of Patrick Boylan, No. 390413, L. D. L. Corps, late Leinster Regiment, discharged from the Army for debility and defective eyesight due to a wound received on the Belgian front in November, 1917; whether he is aware that this man is a labourer with a wife and family to support; and will he see that his present allowance of 16s. 6d. a week is increased, as it is insufficient to support him and he is unable to work?
§ Mr. PARKERThe award of pension at the rate of 16s. 6d. a week was made in accordance with the finding of the medical branch of the Ministry that the debility for which this man was invalided, with a resulting disablement of 60 per cent., was aggravated by service. No allowance was given in respect of children, as the particulars afforded by the documents were inadequate, but the inquiry has now been completed and an allowance of 12s. a week, additional to pension, has been granted and notified. The question whether the defective eyesight necessitates an increase in the award is being considered.
§ Major COURTHOPEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the case of 1st Air Mechanic W. Martin, No. 80005, Royal Flying Corps, who made an allotment in May, 1917, to his invalid mother, and, on the death of his mother in July, 1917, before the claim for separation allowance had been settled, applied to transfer his allotment to his sister, who, like his mother, was dependent on him; whether the separation allowance will be paid to the said sister, together with the arrears of allowance due to the late Mrs. Martin; and, if not, for what reason?
§ Mr. FORSTERI will inquire into this case, and communicate with my hon. Friend.