asked the Minister for Defence if he has received an application for a pension under the Army Pensions Act, 1923, from Joseph Hendry, late 43613, 6th Battalion S.I.C., now of 51 Carleston Street, Springburn, Glasgow, who was wounded while on patrol duty at Waterford in November, 1923; if a pension has been refused, and if so, if he will state what are the grounds for the refusal.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ARMY PENSION CLAIM.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
An application under the Army Pensions Act, 1923, has been received from Mr. Hendry. The accident in respect of which the claim was made occurred after the end of the period of military service to which the Army Pensions Act, 1923, applies. The provision of compensation in claims arising outside that period is at present under consideration. Pending a decision, I regret I am not in a position to deal with Mr. Hendry's claim.
Will the Minister say when claims such as this are likely to be dealt with? The fact that the man has been disabled in consequence of his service in the Army makes it incumbent, at least, that some decision should be come to as to whether a man is to be utterly deprived of assistance or that some day will arrive when cases such as this will be considered.
At present I am not in a position to fix the date, but the matter is under consideration in more cases than this one. We have a number of cases. The Committee is at present investigating them, and I cannot fix a date on which I would be able to answer the Deputy.