§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of his power in certain cases to set aside the seven-year limit in respect of claims for pension for a disability due to war service, he will exercise his clemency in the case, of Mr. W. W. Watkins, ex-private, No. 8655, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, who was discharged with an exemplary character after 24 years' service, and who did not submit a claim to pension until he had exhausted his own savings in efforts to obtain a cure for the cerebral hæmorrhage from which he suffers, and which in the opinion of four doctors is due to war and pre-war service, the claim being ruled out on the ground that it was submitted more than seven years after discharge?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYAs the hon. Member has already been informed, my right hon. Friend has had Mr. Watkins' case specially considered, not withstanding the fact that he made no claim for some eight years after his discharge from service. He regrets, however, that there are no grounds on which he would be justified in taking action in regard to it.