asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider the case of Mrs. Jane Machin, of Starkholmes, Matlock, whose son, Leading-seaman Ivor Machin, No. 182,420, H.M.S. "Defence," was killed at the Battle of Jutland, and in respect of whom she has been receiving a pension, including bonus, of 4s. 2d. a week, which is now discontinued; whether he is aware that Mrs. Machin is a widow 72 years of age; that all her sons fought in the War; and that her only income is her old age pension and a small amount, never exceeding 5s. weekly, from her only unmarried son, who lives away from home; and whether he will immediately restore this small pension and thus render unnecessary any application for Poor Law relief?

I am personally inquiring into the facts of this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of W. J. H., late No. 971,162, Royal Field Artillery, who was demobilised in August, 1919, and who applied for a pension in respect of tuberculosis in April, 1921; if he is aware that this has been refused by the Ministry on the ground that the medical advisers were unable to certify that the disability was in any way related to this ex-soldier's service; will he state, if the Ministry does not acknowledge any responsibility, why the man has recently been in one of the Government hospitals at the expense of the Government for treatment for tuber- culosis; and, in view of the fact that he joined up voluntarily as a healthy active man and was passed A 1 into the Service, that he is now in an advanced state of pulmonary tuberculosis, and has no means to live on whatever, will he reconsider the case as a special one and give this man some immediate assistance?

The decision of my Department having been confirmed and made final by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, I regret that the application for pension cannot be re-opened I would remind my hon. Friend that treatment for tuberculosis is provided by local authorities for both ex-service men and civilians in accordance with their general scheme of treatment for this disease as approved by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of his statement that discharged and pensioned sailors and soldiers should not suffer on account of the Geddes Committee Report, he is aware that on 3rd May more than 20 men had to go from Paignton to Torquay to draw their weekly allowance at a cost of 9d. to each man; and whether this amount will be refunded to these men?

I regret to find that there was some misunderstanding in this matter. The allowances should have been remitted by postal draft, and that course will be followed in future. In the circumstances the necessary travelling expenses incurred by these men will be refunded.