Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that John M'Cutcheon, No. 12,323, Seaforth Highlanders, has had his claim disallowed: that this man suffers from a wound in the head for which he was operated on in Bellahouston Hospital; that the wound is still running and he requires to wear a plate to protect the head wound; that this man has been in several hospitals for insanity since he left the hospital, and at the present time he is not considered responsible for his actions; and whether he is prepared to order this case to be reconsidered?
§ Major TRYONNo evidence can he obtained in support of the alleged wound in the head during service. The mental condition which led to this man's discharge from the Army in April, l918, was accepted by the Ministry as having been aggravated by service. In April last, however, when a Medical Appeal Board reported that there was no remaining disablement from the condition, the Ministry decided that aggravation had passed away. That decision has since been confirmed and thus made final by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.
Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Roderick M'Beth, No. 33389, Royal Field Artillery, has had his claim turned down by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, on the ground that his disability, pulmonary tuberculosis, is neither due to nor aggravated by his service during the War: that this man served in the South African War, and that his whole prewar medical history attests him of having been in first—class health when be joined; that this man was gassed during his service, and served four years and four months of his total service of four years and nine months with the Army in France; that this man is at present undergoing treatment at Bridge of Weir sanatorium; and whether he will take steps to have this case reconsidered?
§ Major TRYONThis man first claimed pension for tuberculosis more than two years after demobilisation, The disability was regarded as constitutional and in no way related to military service, and the decision of the Ministry rejecting the claim having been confirmed 219W by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, I regret that the case cannot be reopened.