asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that over one thousand claims by ex-army men for pensions for disabilities, other than wounds, contracted and aggravated or due to Army service, have been rejected by the Army Pensions Board, and that the majority of the rejected cases are in respect of ex-army men, suffering from tuberculosis and neurasthenia, which disabilities are not provided for in the Army Pensions Act, 1923, and whether the forthcoming amending Bill will cover such cases.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - EX-ARMY MEN'S DISABILITY CLAIMS.
I am aware that a large number of claims for pensions or gratuities were necessarily rejected as not coming within the scope of the Army Pensions Act, 1923. The provisions of the forthcoming amending Bill have not yet been definitely fixed. I am, therefore, not in a position to refer to them.
Would the Minister give us an assurance that tubercular cases will be dealt with?
I cannot give any assurance pending the introduction of the Bill.
Will the Minister recommend that such cases be included?