§ Mr. MCNEILLasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Lieutenant Lionel Robertson, Royal Field Artillery, and the circumstances in which the Ministry of Pensions refuse to admit aggravation of disability on account of service as a commissioned officer; whether he is 622W aware that Robertson, after service in France in the ranks, was discharged on account of wounds on the 26th of March, 1916; that he re-enlisted and was passed for general service in November, 1916; and that after obtaining his commission he was demobilised with the rank of lieutenant on the 26th of October, 1920, being then assessed by a medical board at 30 per cent. disability; if he will explain how, under these circumstances, this disability was not caused or aggravated by service as a commissioned officer; on what evidence or by what process of reasoning such a finding was arrived at; and whether it is his intention to permit such a finding to deprive a soldier of the officer's rate of pension to which he is entitled?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI understand that the facts are generally as stated by my hon. Friend. There is no medical evidence that the wounds which Lieutenant Robertson sustained while serving in the ranks were aggravated by his subsequent service as an officer; indeed the information before me goes to show that his condition was actually improved by medical treatment during his later service. I am, however, prepared to consider any further evidence that may be submitted to me in the case.