§ Captain BOWYERasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a pension has been refused to Mrs. Fitzgerald, widow of the late No. 312,648, regimental quartermaster-sergeant, 9th Lancers, who was bitten by an insect whilst serving in Egypt, and died of acute septicemia arising from the bite; whether he will look into the ease; and, in view of the dissatisfaction which has been caused by the decision of his Department in this instance, will he consider the desirability of establishing an appeal in cases of this description to an independent tribunal?
1901W
§ Mr. WALSHAs indicated in the question, Quartermaster-Sergeant Fitzgerald's lamented death was due to blood poisoning following the bite of an insect. This was a risk common to everyone and not occasioned or intensified by military service. I much regret that in these circumstances Mrs. Fitzgerald is not eligible for an award from Army funds, and I do not think there is anything in such a case which could appropriately be referred to an independent tribunal.
RECRUITS discharged as not likely to become efficient soldiers. Year ending 30th Sept. For medical reasons. Per 1,000 recruits. For other reasons. Per 1,000 recruits. Totals. For medical and other reasons. Per 1,000 recruits. 1921 … 1,370 35.16 473 12.14 1,843 47.30 1922 … 1,410 35.50 425 10.70 1,835 46.20 1923 … 1,483 47.11 352 11.18 1,835 58.29 The discharges "for other reasons" include eases of men who, without definite medical disability, are found in various ways to be physically or temperamentally unsuitable. Incapacity to profit by training, or inability to learn to ride, are instances.
Mr. C. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for War how many warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men were in the years 1911, 1912, 1913, 1921, 1922, and 1923 discharged on the ground that they were not likely to become efficient soldiers; what the numbers are per 1,000 of the strength; and whether, if the numbers in the earlier years are less than in the later years, he can state the causes of such increases?
§ Mr. WALSHThe numbers of men discharged as not likely to become efficient soldiers are as follow:
Year ending 1st October. Total number discharged. Number per 1,000 of strength. 1911 … 903 3.72 1912 … 926 3.83 1913 … 870 3.69 1921 … 2,946 1.43 1922 … 3,249 15.78 1923 … 3,105 15.98 The increase in the two last years is probably attributable partly to the effect