HC Deb 07 March 1922 vol 151 cc1094-5W
Mr. WILKIE

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Private William Ross, No. 3578, 1st Garrison Battalion Highland Light Infantry, was compulsorily enlisted under the Military Service Act in January, 1917, and discharged from the military hospital, Fort George, in April of the same year suffering from tuberculosis; that the Pensions Appeal Tribunal for Scotland at Dundee, on 10th December, 1919, allowed his appeal and decided that he was suffering from chronic pulmonary tuberculosis aggravated by service, but that the aggravation passed away three months after discharge; that Dr. William Hunter, chief tuberculosis officer, Dundee, certified on 28th September, 1920, that aggravation had not passed away and that he was still suffering from progressive disease; that Ross has been a patient in King's Cross Hospital, Dundee, certified by Dr. Walter Alexander, resident medical superintendent, to be suffering from advanced pulmonary tuberculosis; and whether, in view of this definite medical evidence, he will con- sider whether the soldier's claim to pension can be reconsidered?

Mr. MACPHERSON

In view of the decision of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, which is by law final, I have no power to re-open this case.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that late Private J. J. Harrison, No. 22,489, 174, Atherton Road, Hindley (Reference North - Western Regional Director 3/MH/19,222), is in receipt of a pension 20 per cent, below the Royal Warrant rates consequent upon the assumption that his incapacity was caused in part by his own negligence; that the man denies this assumption; and whether he will cause the case to be reopened in order that the man may have a proper opportunity of rebutting this charge?

Mr. MACPHERSON

In the opinion of the Ministry the disability is the result of the man's own serious negligence, and consequently he is not entitled to pension under the Royal Warrant. The award which he is at present receiving was granted as an act of grace. If the man contests the decision of the Ministry it is open to him to appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.