71. Major JOHN EDWARDSasked the Pensions Minister whether he will state the qualifications of the personnel of the authority that reviews the reports of medical boards on disabled men; whether, seeing that they review and sometimes, alter the assessments agreed to by medical boards, their qualifications are superior; and whether he will consider the advisability, from the point of view of depart- 1839 mental and medical economy, of doing away with this second authority for assessing disabilities?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)I cannot usefully add to the reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 27th ultimo.
72. Major JOHN EDWARDSasked the Pensions Minister whether medical boards in considering a disability have before them, in addition to the man's medical history, his conduct sheet as well; and, if so, for what purpose is the latter necessary?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The conduct sheet, as my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, often contains information of value from the medical point of view, and it is solely in that connection that it is examined.
Major EDWARDSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that sufficient information is contained in the medical history of the man?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSSome information is contained in the conduct sheet which is also valuable.