§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the oase of Assistant Purser (Accountant Officer) H. W. Couchman, of His Majesty's ship "Reliance," Royal Fleet Auxiliary; is he aware that this officer was appointed on the 10th April, 1917, received his salary, and was ranked as paymaster sub-lieutenant, and was treated as such during the whole period of his service; was discharged in 1918 suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and awarded a disability pay of 100 per cent., and that on his discharge papers he is classed as a sub-lieutenant and was paid his gratuity until July on that basis, after which time his pay was reduced to that attached to a warrant officer; and if it is possible to secure for this man a rehearing of his ease, as his present condition is very bad indeed owing to the very serious disability from which he is suffering, brought on by service during the War?
§ Major TRYONThe question of the appropriate naval rank to be imputed, for disability pension purposes, to certain officers and men of the Mercantile Marine is at present under consideration, and Assistant-Purser Couchman's case will receive further consideration in the light of the decision reached on the general question.