§ Sir M. BARLOWasked the Pensions Minister whether he will have inquiries made into the case of Mr. A. Wakefield, late able-bodied seamen, No. 16273, of His Majesty's ship "Ruby," of 15, Enbridge Street, Trafford Road, Salford; whether this man was invalided from the Navy with flat feet caused through wounds in the leg and ankle after seventeen years' service, having joined at the age of fifteen and a half years; whether, on discharge, he was awarded a temporary pension; whether he applied to the local war pensions committee for reassessment and was examined by the medical referees on the 29th April; and whether, in spite of the fact that his recommendations were forwarded to the Ministry of Pensions and a further medical board ordered, the man is still unable to ascertain what pension, if any, has been awarded to him?
§ Sir J. CRAIGMr. Wakefield was invalided for injury to his right leg, and was in receipt of disablement pension until 15th May, 1919. The disability of flat feet has been found to be neither attributable to nor aggravated by service. He was medically examined on 6th March, 1919, when the disablement arising from the injury was assessed as nil. He therefore reverted to a pension of 4s. 8d. a week for life, awarded in respect of his service. On an appeal being received from the local war pensions committee on his behalf, he was further examined on 3rd June, 1919, when the extent of disablement was again assessed at nil. He is therefore ineligible for resumption of his disablement pension, and the fact has now been communicated to him.