HC Deb 30 April 1925 vol 183 c293
4. Captain BOWYER

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in some cases there is undue delay in notifying results of medical boards; and will he take steps to remedy this?

Major TRYON

Under the instructions of the Ministry the decision upon a case following a medical examination is conveyed to the claimant as promptly as possible. In a very few cases, as my hon. and gallant Friend will understand, expert opinion or additional evidence may have to be obtained, and some unavoidable delay may occur. I have, however, recently taken active steps to secure that the speediest decision possible is arrived at on all outstanding cases.

Mr. MARCH

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that four months is an unavoidable time to take to give a decision in a case of this kind?

Major TRYON

I am glad to say that from the figures I received this morning it is evident that these cases are, as a whole, being decided far more rapidly now than they were even a short time ago.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that cases have been known where following a medical board a decision has not been announced because a second board has been asked for; and before the examination of the second board has been carried through it has been found that the second board was outside the seven years' limit, while the first hoard was inside that limit, and a pension has been refused on the ground that it was Lot within the seven years' limit?

Major TRYON

Such a case is not within my experience. There are, of course, cases where it has been necessary to obtain expert opinion in order that the best possible decision should be arrived at.