§ Mr. RAINEasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that G. H. Boyer, of 25, Amberley Street, Sunderland, who was an in-patient of the Ministry of Pensions hospital, Newcastle-on-Tyne, up to a few weeks ago, during which time shrapnel was extracted from his back,
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COUNTY OF LONDON. Nature of Scheme. Completed. In course of Erection. Total. 1919 Act, Assisted Scheme 11,988 399 12,387 Private Builders' Subsidy (1919 Additional Powers Act). 452 — 452 1923 Act. By Local Authorities 33 947 980 By Private Enterprise 121 166 287 By Public Utility Societies — — — 12,594 1,512 14,106 Private Enterprise without State Assistance (figures only available for 18 months prior to 31st March, 1924—no information since this date). 2,563 1,379 3,942 made an application for a pension in February of this year and has not received any reply from the Ministry of Pensions to his application; and will he see that prompt attention is given to this case?
Mr. ROBERTSI find that in this case both the diagnosis and the origin of the disability claimed were very doubtful. A period of observation in hospital was found to be necessary, and very full inquiries had to be made with a view to obtaining evidence in support of the claim. Mr. Bostock was informed from time to time that these inquiries were being made. A decision on the Case has been reached, and communicated to the claimant. It has, I regret, not been found possible to give a favourable decision, but the claimant has been informed that he has a right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. I am not satisfied, however, that there has been no unavoidable delay in the handling of this case, and I am looking personally into the procedure adopted.