§ 80. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if in the forthcoming Estimates he will make provision for an appeal tribunal for those men who are invalided from the lower deck, and who at present are thrown out without possible appeal?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)In the opinion of the three fighting services, the cost of a special appeal tribunal would not be justified generally in view of the full medical records available and the stringent medical examination on entry, and the fact that there is a right of appeal to the Board of Admiralty. I am, however considering whether an exception to the general rule might not be possible in certain specific cases, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend when a final decision has been reached.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the appeal to the Admiralty is not of much value, seeing that the men cannot be represented and cannot argue their case in any possible way? Does he not think it would mitigate the feeling of injustice if proposals were made to allow them to do so?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI cannot agree with what the hon. Gentleman says.
§ Mr. HAYESWill the right hon. Gentleman ascertain the form of appeal which has been set up in the police service, and which has existed for many years, and see if that cannot be now made applicable to the Navy?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI will look into that.