§ 12. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the question of furnishing each man on discharge or demobilisation with a copy of his Army medical history sheet, as the possession of this evidence would very materially assist men in establishing their statutory right to a pension?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONArmy medical history sheets are confidential, and it would be contrary to the practice of the War Office to furnish copies of them to the men concerned or to other individuals. Apart from this, the course suggested by the hon. and gallant Member would involve a great amount of additional clerical work and appears to be quite unnecessary. The medical history sheets of all soldiers invalided from the Army are sent to the Ministry of Pensions, and in cases where men, discharged in the ordinary way, subsequently claim a disability pension, their medical history sheets and other documents are always obtained by the Ministry of Pensions from the Record Office.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman use his good offices with the Minister of Pensions to enable men to get a copy of the medical history sheet? That is what they want, because they want to be able to say, "This is my medical history."
§ Colonel J. WARDWill the right hon. Gentleman take care that the application is signed, and the statement made definitely that it is the man himself who requires the medical history sheet, so that it may not get into other hands and be used for an improper purpose?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI do not think I can add anything to the answer I have given that these sheets are regarded as confidential, and I do not think it would be suitable to allow others to use them.