§ Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that James Stanley Fairbank, late officers' steward, second class, R.N., who was demobilised on 27th February, 1919, after having suffered severely from sleeplessness and nervous debility, and who subsequently developed neurasthenia, applied for a disability pension in September, 1920, which was recommended by a medical board in December, 1920, but quashed by the regional committee with- 1893W out any further medical examination; why was the opinion of the local medical board set aside by a body which had made no such personal investigation; and will he undertake that the case shall be reconsidered on the basis of the original medical board?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAlthough the medical board which examined this man when he made a claim to pension more than 1½ years after discharge expressed the opinion that his disability was due to service, the Ministry were unable to accept that view and pension was accordingly refused. The case has now been heard by the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal, which has confirmed the finding of the Ministry, and, as decisions of the tribunal are final, I regret that the case cannot be re-opened.