§ 35. Mr. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that needless expense and trouble to ex-service men are involved in the men who apply for treatment having to travel long distances from districts in Fifeshire to Dundee and Edinburgh for examination; and whether he will arrange to have the applicants for treatment examined by a local medical referee?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Macpherson)I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that it has been decided to establish a general medical clinic at Kirkcaldy, and a Deputy Commissioner of Medical Services will be stationed there. By this means the difficulty referred to should disappear.
§ 36. Mr. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the Fife- 552 shire Local Pensions Committee is refusing to pay more than two hours' subsistence allowance for ex-service patients who have to travel from Methil to Dundee for treatment; that the return journey cannot be done in that time; and if a more generous allowance for loss of remunerative time can be given to the men concerned?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONFrom the inquiries which I have made, I am satisfied that it is the practice of the Fifeshire Local Committee to pay subsistence allowance and compensation for loss of remunerative time in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 238 and 253 of the Local Committees' Handbook. If my hon. Friend has a case in mind in which he considers the proper allowances have not been paid, and will let me have particulars, I shall be glad to inquire into it.