§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that F. A. W. Smith, late Private No. 418,139 Labour Corps (Reference No. Pension Paper S.F.O. 87,933) was sent, as a result of his appeal against reduction of disability from 50 per cent, to 30 per cent, by a Board in Canterbury, to a London hospital to undergo an operation, and that he has derived no benefit from the operation and is unable to earn nearly as much as before his military service, when his wages amounted to £3 per week and upwards; and, in view of the fact that Smith is a married man with a family, whether the reduction made in his disability percentage can now be reconsidered?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThis man was first awarded pension for eight months at the rate of 50 per cent, in respect of a gunshot wound of the knee. The award was renewed at 40 per cent., and remained at that rate until last November when, as a result of resurvey, it was reduced to 30 per cent, for six months. Treatment (with allowances), consisting of movement of the knee joint under an anæsthetic, was provided, terminating in December, 1921, when the condition of the disability was found to have improved. As the current award will expire in May, a further Board is being arranged with a view to a renewal of pension in accordance with the existing degree of disablement.
§ Major KELLEYasked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the desirability of granting full disability pensions to all ex-service men with a disability while they are unemployed, in view of the fact that they are doubly handicapped in an overcrowded labour market by reason of their disability arising from War service?
§ Major TRYONI would refer my hon. hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. G. Barker) on the 9th February, of which I am sending him a copy.