§ 69. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any trace of rheumatism in the Army medical history of Mr. G. J. Ross, Louisa Street, Darlington, late trumpeter, Royal Artillery??
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)The medical records of soldiers are confidential documents, and it would be contrary to the established practice to disclose details from them.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDSeeing that the implications are so very serious in this case, surely it is a fair question to ask?
§ Mr. COOPERIt is a perfectly fair question to ask, but it is a very good practice to maintain, without making any exceptions, that records of this sort must be confidential.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it means ruination to this particular soldier?
§ Mr. COOPERThe fortunes of the soldier could not possibly be affected by the reply to the question.
Dr. DAVIESDoes not the hon. Member see that, in the case of an appeal, a person is handicapped if he cannot get any particulars of the medical history of the case? He is placed in an absolutely impossible position.
§ Mr. COOPERThe previous history is open to the people hearing the appeal.