§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is not generally known among ex-service men suffering 1248W from tuberculosis that they are entitled to extra diet allowance, and special bedding and clothing where necessary; and if he will give instructions to Local War Pensions Committees to have this information more widely circulated?
§ Major TRYONInquiries which have been made do not support the suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's question. Moreover, the conditions under which special diet and clothing can be provided are fully set out in the Local War Pensions Committee Handbook, copies of which have been supplied gratis to the headquarters of the various ex-service men's associations. The Handbook is now being placed on sale, and the local branches will thus be enabled to obtain copies for the information of their members.
§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Minister of Pensions whether he can see his way to, issue instructions for extra clothing and bedding to be given from time to time to all ex-service men certified to be suffering from tuberculosis, instead of providing it on loan in certain cases?
§ Major TRYONWhere open-air home treatment is ordered, extra blankets which are certified to be necessary are supplied, but not on loan, nor is the cost recovered. Extra clothing is provided as an incident of treatment, and not in supplementation of pension, but in certain cases men have expressed the wish to purchase the clothing on the termination of treatment, and the question whether this would be practicable is being considered.