§ Mr. W. GREENWOODasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men have died from pneumonia or bronchitis, owing to a weak heart caused by War service, whose widows have been refused a pension?
§ Captain CRAIGMy right hon. Friend has no record of any case such as that suggested in the question.
§ Mr. F. JOWETTasked the Minister of Pensions whether his, attention has been directed to the case of the late Private Harold Haigh, No. 28798, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who attested in 1915, was gassed in France in November, 1917, and, after six weeks' hospital treatment and 12 months' home service, was sent again to France in a labour battalion, where he broke down again and was sent to hospital suffering from eye weakness and cough, and who, after demobilisation in March, 1919, suffered continually from a cough that grew steadily worse until he contracted bronchial pneumonia and died; whether he is aware that the widow, who is in a weak state of health and has to provide for a child aged five, has been denied a pension under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant and granted only 5s. a week under Article 17; and whether he will have the matter inquired into?
§ Major TRYONThe medical advisers to the Ministry were unable to accept the acute illness from which this man died as being 'connected with his service, and that decision, having been confirmed on appeal by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, is now final. I regret, therefore, that the widow cannot be given an increased award of pension.