§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Pensions the reason why Private Walter Ray, No. 8,604, 11th Middlesex Regiment, of 230, Bow Road, E., is being paid the sum of 24s. a week as disability allowance; is he aware that this man joined the Army in 1914, was discharged from hospital on 27th January, 1916, has been in and out of from 20 to 30 hospitals since, suffering from neurasthenia, shell shock, and epileptic fits, and three weeks ago was discharged from the Notley Hospital; that he has since been to the London Neurological Clinic, Kensington, for an examination and was recommended to continue treatment under his panel doctor; that no treatment allowance was authorised; that up to the time of leaving the Netley Hospital he was receiving the 100 per cent, pension, but since has only drawn 12s. for one week and will draw 24s. from Wednesday next; that this man is now in such a physically unfit stale, that he is quite unable to move about without assistance, and is suffering from neurasthenia brought on by shell shock, and is also subject to epileptic fits; and that he has been obliged to apply for Poor Law assistance: and whether, in these circumstances, he will immediately grant this man special treatment other than under his panel doctor and also grant him full treatment allowance in lieu of a pension?
§ Major TRYONThis man is in receipt of a 60 per cent, pension for neurasthenia which he developed following an attack of influenza in January, 1916. The assessment of disablement was made by a Medical Appeal Board (which included a neurological specialist) held last September. If, however, the man considers that his condition has since become materially worse he may apply for an increased pension on that ground. I may say that the case is one which has received a great deal of sympathetic consideration by the Ministry, and that the man has been provided with considerable periods of medical treatment. It is not, however, considered by my medical advisers that any treatment other than supervision by his panel doctor is required at present. There is no evidence of shell shock, and it is considered by the 1235W medical authorities that the fits from which this man suffers are not truly epileptic in character.