HC Deb 16 June 1921 vol 143 cc567-8
6 and 7. Mr. J. GUEST

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether, seeing that the original appointments of medical referees were made before the completion of medical demobilisation, these appoint- ments will now again be declared vacant and re-advertised, or whether the original appointments are the fixed and permanent appointments of the present holders;

(2) whether the appointments of medical referees are now reviewed every six months as originally decided; how many of these appointments have been considered vacant on review and changed; and whether the opinion of the local pensions committee is ever asked or considered in these appointments?

Mr. MACPHERSON

In the latter part of 1919, when the demobilisation of medical men was practically complete, the then existing appointments of medical referees, to the number of 962, were declared vacant, and 1,553 new appointments were made, preference being given to those men who had served overseas during the War. All the present appointments are temporary, being subject to one month's notice on either side. While the paramount consideration in making these appointments must be medical, consideration is always given to representations made by local committees.

8. Mr. GUEST

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the total number of medical referees employed locally and centrally on pensions work; what is the total cost to the country; what fees are now paid for this work; what is the average per claimant pensioner; and whether all the appointments are part-time?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The Ministry utilises the services of 1,717 medical referees, whose appointments are part-time and subject to a month's notice. Payment is made at the rate of 5s. per case, except where the examination is in connection with a claim to alternative pension, when the fee is 10s. 6d. The amount paid in fees to medical referees during the last financial year was approximately £250,000.

Sir W. PEARCE

Is there a transfer of duties formerly performed by War Pensions Committees to the medical referees?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I do not think so. They deal purely with the medical aspect of a case, and the local pensions committees deal mainly with the facts.