HC Deb 26 June 1918 vol 107 cc1058-9
73. Mr. A. RICHARDSON

asked the Minister of National Service whether he will have placed in the Library the circular which cancelled the circular dated 3rd May, 1918, sent by his Department to medical boards?

Mr. BECK

The circular dated 3rd May, 1918, addressed to all chairmen of medical boards, London region, was by direction of the Chief Commissioner of Medical Services modified at a meeting of all chairmen of medical boards, London region, summoned by the Commissioner of Medical Services, London, on 9th May. At this meeting the necessity for maintaining the sectional system of examination of recruits was emphasised and reiterated.

Mr. RICHARDSON

Was this repudiation of the former circular in writing or was it done orally?

Mr. BECK

So urgent was the question considered to be that a special meeting of the chairmen of the boards was called, and it is not admitted by the Commissioner of Medical Services of the London region that the letter of the 3rd of May, 1918, bore the interpretation placed upon it. There was a doubt about one sentence, and the meeting was called, and they decided that the medical sectional examination must take place.

Sir C. HENRY

Was that confirmed in writing?

Mr. BECK

It was not really necessary because our permanent instructions are that a sectional system of medical examination must take place, and the question was whether the letter of the 3rd of May was supposed to modify that.

Mr. RICHARDSON

Does the hon. Gentleman not recollect that the Minister of National Service stated in this House that a circular was sent round repudiating the circular of the 3rd of May? Is that so or is it not; and if it is so, may we know the date of the circular and have it placed in the Library?

Mr. BECK

I rather fancy that there is a letter in the Library which I understand was not circulated. It was a report of this meeting which had taken place, at which the chairmen of the medical boards had been informed that they must abide by the instructions of the Minister of National Service, and must not be influenced by the letter of the 3rd of May.

Mr. PRINGLE

How were they to act on this instruction if their interpretation was not correct and there was an ambiguity with regard to one sentence?

Mr. BECK

I think my hon. Friend is labouring a very small point. There is no question about the instruction of the Minister of National Service as regards medical examinations. The circular letter was issued by the Director of Medical Service in London with a view of expediting medical examinations, and after investigation our chief medical inspector had the letter withdrawn.

Sir WILLIAM COLLINS

Will the hon. Member say whether, as a matter of fact, any circular was issued cancelling the circular of the 3rd of May?

Mr. BECK

I have just explained that I am not aware of it.