HC Deb 06 March 1919 vol 113 cc646-7W
Mr. LORT-WILLIAMS

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Private J. Martin, No. 5957, Royal West Kent Regiment, 6th Battalion, suffered a compound double fracture of the right arm owing to the explosion of a mine, and was granted a pension of 37s. 9d., including an allowance for six children; whether this was reduced to 27s. 11d. and again to 22s. 4d., in spite of the fact that the arm is still as useless as at the time of discharge; and whether he will give directions to have this case reconsidered?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON EVANS

The statement that this man's arm is still as useless as at the time of discharge is not borne out by the report of the various medical boards who have examined him from time to time. According to these reports the arm has steadily improved, and is likely to improve still more. If, however, he is dissatisfied with the assessment of disablement by the medical board, he should apply to his local war pensions committee, who will have him examined by their medical referee. If the referee is of opinion that the disablement has been under-assessed, the case will be further considered, and in the meantime the local committee can make recover- able advances in accordance with the degree of disablement certified by the medical referee.