§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Private W. Fletcher, No. 86,509, late of the 17th London Regiment; is he aware that this man appealed successfully to the Appeals Tribunal, after which he was sent to be examined by another set of doctors at Chelsea, who now inform him that his disability has passed away, thus vitiating the result of an appeal to the final Tribunal set up by this House to deal with such cases; whether he is aware that the man is at present attending the National Heart Hospital for treatment; and what does he propose to do in this case?
§ Major TRYONThe Tribunal set aside a final award made on an assessment of disablement of under 20 per cent. That decision did not imply that the Tribunal considered that the assessment was inadequate, but merely that, in their opinion, a final award should not have been made at the time. Following the Tribunal's decision, the man was examined by an entirely different medical board, comprising a cardiologist, in order that his condition then might be ascertained. The degree of disablement was, however, found to be less than on the occasion of the previous board, and a further award of compensation was not, therefore, admissible; but as a result of the Tribunal's decision the man has an opportunity of making application for increased compensation if he considers that the condition of his disability has become worse since he was last boarded.
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§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Private H. F. Adams, No. 29,594, late of the Royal Field Artillery; whether he is aware that this man received injuries to his right hand while on leave at home from the Army in France during an air raid; that he is receiving a grant of 15s. a week from the Charity Organisation Society; and whether it is possible to place this man on the ordinary pension roll and enable him to receive the disability pension appropriate to his case?
§ Major TRYONMr. Adams' claim was considered by the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal, who held that his disability was neither due to nor aggravated by his military service. As the decisions of the Tribunal are by Statute final, I regret that no further action can be taken by the Ministry. I may add that the injury was not received by Mr. Adams in the course of his duty, or by reason of his being a soldier, since when it occurred he was sleeping in his own house at home. The allowance of 15s. a week for life was granted by the Ministry of Health, under the Government scheme of compensation for dealing with civilian claims arising out of injuries by air raids in this country.
§ Mr. J. JONESasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private W. J. Hackett, No. 358,820, Royal Engineers, who is suffering from defective vision due to war service; and whether he will have this man's claim for pension considered and provision made for such treatment as is necessary for his eyes?
§ Major TRYONMy medical advisers were unable to admit that the cause of defective vision in this case had any relation to service, and the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, after obtaining a report by a medical specialist, confirmed that finding, which thus became final. I regret that the man is not, therefore, eligible for compensation or treatment from my Department.
§ Mr. JONESalso asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. J. Dearle, of 31, Bayham Street, Camden Town, N.W.1, who enlisted in 1914 at the age of 47; whether he is aware that, after serving three years 172 days, part of the time in 1634W France, Mr. Dearle was discharged and given a gratuity of £55; that he became worse, was sent into hospital, and was awarded a pension; whether, some 14 months ago, an officer of his Department informed Mr. Dearle that the whole of his pension would be stopped until he had repaid the £55 plus £7 8s. 6d. treatment allowance, issued by the local war pensions committee; whether it is in accordance with his instructions that the whole of a man's pension should be withheld; and whether he will cause this man's pension to be issued?
§ Major TRYONI am looking into the facts of this case and will communicate with the hon. Member at an early date.