§ 78. Mr. HURDasked the Pensions Minister whether steps will be taken to expedite the work of the medical boards in regard to changes in disability assessment, so as not to keep disabled soldiers in suspense and in some cases throw them upon parish relief?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe hon. Member in presumably referring to cases where the man applies to be re-boarded on the ground that his disability has become worse, or has been under-assessed. In such cases, if his claim is supported by the medical referee, he is brought before a medical board as expeditiously as possibly, and, in the meantime, to avoid hardship, he can be given advances by his local committee in accordance with the finding of the medical referee.
§ Mr. HURDIs it not possible to expedite the work of these medical boards? In one case it took six weeks, which seems a long period.
§ Sir J. CRAIGI can only say that I am extremely sorry if there has been that delay. The pressure is very great. Demobilisation means a heavy burden on the 177 medical boards throughout the country, but I will inquire into the case raised by my hon. Friend
§ Mr. HOGGECan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how the work of the medical boards is increased on account of demobilisation, seeing that all men to be demobilised are assessed in the Army?
§ Sir J. CRAIGMy hon. Friend is misinformed. Those who are out of the Army can come back on pensions under Article 9, and, under the system of demobilisation, Form Z 22, it is not necessary that a man should have declared his disability on demobilisation, and large numbers have come before committees after having declared themselves under Form Z 22.