§ Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that E. P. Brittain, of 16, Tinsley Huts, who enlisted on the 10th December, 1915, and was discharged on the 19th February, 1919, was for nine months in the Wharn-cliffe Hospital where he underwent an operation for varicose veins; that he was turned down at Rotherham, and in March, 1922, attended a second board at Brocco Bank, Sheffield; that no decision of that board has ever reached him; that he is suffering from varicose veins which interfere with his employment; and whether the further consideration which was promised on the 20th March, 1922, can now be given to his case?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThis man, who had varicose veins on enlistment, was definitely informed by the Ministry shortly after the Medical Board of March, 1922, that, as the effects of service on his disability no longer persisted, no award could be made. In May of that year he applied for a form of appeal to the tribunal but failed to complete it, notwithstanding a personal reminder from the Ministry. No further communication has been received from him in the matter. Any further representations that he may desire to make should be made through the area office of his district. It will then be a question for the tribunal itself to determine whether they can hear the appeal.
§ Mr. WILSONfurther asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Henry Swinscoe, 228, Brookhill, Sheffield, enlisted at the age of 16 on the 17th December, 1917, and that, prior to enlistment, he had not been vaccinated, but had enjoyed perfect health; that he was vaccinated in January, 1918, and, from the time of his vaccination and owing to its effect, he was repeatedly excused duty and was not inoculated; that, as a result of the vaccination, his health has been completely undermined; that he is suffering from extensive tuberculosis of the lungs: that the medical war records section reported, on a claim being made, that the books of Camp Detention Hospital, Halton Camp, Wendover, had been searched from December, 1917, to 24th 666W January, 1918, without result; that, as a matter of fact, Swinscoe had never been in that camp or that hospital at any time, but that he was in the Camp Isolation Hospital, Halton Camp, East, in March and April, 1918; that the information upon which he has been refused benefit is inaccurate; and that a young man of exceptionally fine physique is completely ruined in health owing to his having been vaccinated when in the Army; and whether, under these circumstances, he will reconsider the granting of a pension?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThe man referred to made no claim to pension until nearly five years after his demobilisation when, after careful consideration of all the evidence, the Ministry were unable to regard his condition as being connected with service. He appealed to to the Independent Appeal Tribunal, and submitted full statements as to his health during service and subsequently, but the tribunal confirmed the Ministry decision. In the circumstances, my right hon. Friend regrets that he sees no ground for adopting the suggestion in the last part of the question.