§ Captain BOWYERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire urgently into the case of Mr. Thomas H. Johnson, who is now undergoing a course of training at Clark's College, Bristol; is he aware that on the 10th December, 1923, Mr. Johnson was admitted into the Cossham Memorial Hospital, Kingswood, Bristol, on the instructions of the Ministry of Pensions' medical officer; that Mr. Johnson's wife had to wait for two weeks without any money; that on the 12th April, 1924, Mr. Johnson was discharged from the hospital and recommended 20 days' leave; that the Ministry of Pensions refuses to issue a leave warrant or any treatment allowances; that Mr. Johnson failed to get any money before going on leave, and that three weeks' pay at least is now due to him; and will he see that all money due to Mr. Johnson is paid as soon as possible?
Mr. ROBERTSThe delay referred to in the third part of the question was1844W occasioned by the man's failure to complete the necessary application. As regards the remainder of the question, treatment ended on 24th April, and after the end of that week, until training commenced, the man was found not to be in need of further treatment and was, therefore, entitled only to pension. I understand that payment of training allowances by the Ministry of Labour commenced on the 14th instant. The recommendation referred to was made under a misapprehension, there being no Warrant authority to pay treatment allowances in such circumstances. I regret if any inconvenience has been caused.