§ Lieut.-Colonel Mayhewasked the Minister of Pensions (1) what would be the position of an employé with a company, financially and in respect of employment, should he or she be partially or permanently incapacitated as a result of shock following enemy bombing, and the position if he or she later developed into a chronic neurotic;
(2) whether shock following bombing is treated as being within the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, 1940?
§ Sir W. WomersleyCases of shock resulting from concussion or blast and involving incapacity for work are ordinarily accepted for compensation under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme. Any question as to the position of an employé in relation to his company with regard to employment is outside my province. I would add, however, that my Department, in common with the Ministry of Health, has been advised by expert neurologists who have been consulted that the primary approach in all cases of shock is by way of treatment, which will include such rehabilitation as may be necessary.
Dr. Morganasked the Minister of Pensions whether severe functional nervous disease, known popularly as nervous shock arising from air-raid experiences, such as the proximity to severe incidents, burial amongst débris, sudden unexpected explosions, etc., is a condition which is regarded as warranting entitlement to compensation; and whether simple concussion of the brain without visible injury would be included under the definition of nervous shock, provided always that the victim is medically certified as incapable of work consequent upon enemy action?
§ Sir W. WomersleyCompensation may be paid under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, where, as a result of enemy action, a person sustains concussion of the brain, whether there is visible injury or not, or where a person sustains nervous shock of a commotional character 1031W associated with blast, burial among debris or some similar severe incident. In either case the patient must be medically certified as incapable of work.