§ Sir W. Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for War what number of recruits for His Majesty's Forces has passed the medical test to join the Army and have since been discharged suffering from tuberculosis; what number receive a pension; what number have been refused a pension, since the beginning of the war to date; are they sent to a tuberculosis hospital; and are they cared for by the State while in hospital?
§ Sir J. GriggIt would not be in the public interest to give the figures. But the total number of men invalided out of the Army because of tuberculosis between 3rd September, 1939, and 31st March, 1942, was 5.4 per cent. of the total number discharged on medical grounds in that period. I regret that I cannot say what proportion of these men enlisted in the same period. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions informs me that about 70 per cent. of claims to pension for tuberculosis are admitted, and that arrangements are in force with local authorities for the appropriate disposal to tuberculosis hospitals of men so discharged from the Service. If the disability is attributable to service the Ministry of Pensions accepts liability for the cost of treatment and payment of the appropriate allowances.