19. Mr. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of medical referees in the part-time employment of the Ministry; what is the number who have been superseded as the result of setting up clinics under the control of whole-time officers of the Ministry; what saving has been effected in the money disbursed as treatment allowances to men on home treatment and unable to follow any employment as the result of setting up the clinics; and what is the cost of the clinics under the control of the Ministry?
§ Major TRYONThe number of part-time medical officers engaged in the work of medical examination and certification is 1,627, but a large number of these officers are employed as examining medical officers at clinics. I am unable to supply the information asked for in the second and third parts of the question. The estimated cost of clinics under the control of the Ministry for the present financial year is £193,000.
Mr. ROBERTSWill the right hon. Gentleman be able to give the information if I repeat the question later?
§ Major TRYONNo. I do not think it is possible to decide what decision would have been given by people if they had occupied a position which they do not occupy. We cannot say what would happen in circumstances which have not occurred.