§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the case of Private A. G. D., Royal Marine Light Infantry, who was discharged from the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar, suffering from spinal consumption, on a cold November day last year without an overcoat, which was refused on the grounds that he had not served quite three years in the Navy: whether this man, although entitled to a pension, has up till now received nothing; and whether he will take steps to see that men who are discharged from the Navy are not treated in this way in future?
§ Mr. AMERYThis man was not a patient in Haslar Hospital in November, 1921, but went there for a survey, after2092W which he returned immediately to barracks pending the decision as regards invaliding. He was in possession of a greatcoat, but presumably did not consider it necessary to wear it on the day in question. I may mention that the cause of invaliding was "Tubercular Disease of the Ileum" not "Tubercular Disease of the Spine." The man was offered hospital treatment, which he declined for private reasons, although strongly advised to accept. The invaliding documents of this man were received on the 6th December, 1921, and, as in the opinion of the medical advisers of the Admiralty, his disability was neither attributable to, nor aggravated by, wag-service, he was awarded a gratuity of £15 in full compensation. This amount was based on length of service, and degree of disablement: (80 per cent.) under the non-attributable scale. The necessary papers were forwarded to the man on the 25th January, but he refused to accept the gratuity awarded until the 22nd May, when payment was made. On the following day the invaliding papers were sent to the Ministry of Pensions. The actual position at present as regards the man's pension was explained in the reply to my hon. Friend's question yesterday.