80. Major D. DAVIESasked the Pensions Minister if medical men employed on medical boards have had their pay raised by 50 per cent., while medical men employed as assessors on sessional rates have had their pay raised by only 25 per cent.; if so, whether he will state for what reason this distinction is made?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir James Craig)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the conditions of work of the medical board and the assessor are not the same, the members of the board being drawn from a panel while the assessors are continuously employed. It is not inequitable that the difference between occasional employment, which cannot be counted upon from day to day and regular employment should be marked by a difference in the rate of payment.