§ 14. Mr. HOGGEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether B 3 and O 3 men are to be passed for general service; and, if so, will they be regarded as medically fit for purposes of pensions should they subsequently be disabled?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONB3 and C3 men will not be passed fit for general or other category of service, unless their health improves sufficiently to warrant re-classification. I must refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Pensions in regard to the last part of the question.
§ Mr. HOGGECan my hon. Friend assure the House that the information which appeared in the public Press, whether it was official or not, that these men are to be passed for general service is not the case unless their health is sufficiently improved?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt is the case that these men will not be passed for general service unless on re-classification they are found fit for it.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs there any security that an adequate and sufficient examination will be given before these men are passed for general service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have stated over and over again in this House that we were proposing to have the most competent medical boards available.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the case which took place yesterday before the late hon. and learned Member for Ealing (Mr. Nield), in which he had to reject the decision of a special medical board on account of its obviously unsatisfactory character?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir.
Mr. CHANCELLORIs the hon. Gentleman aware that C 2 men are being transferred to Class A without any further medical examination?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, I am not, and I do not believe it is true.