§ 38. Mr. STEPHENasked the Minister of Pensions whether the recommendations of the local medical boards in connection with claims to pensions are always accepted by his medical advisers; and, if not, what steps are taken by the officers at headquarters of the Ministry to obtain personal observation in the cases concerned?
Mr. ROBERTSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The function of local Medical Boards is primarily to provide a detailed clinical account of a case, though they may and usually do give the reasons, on the evidence available to them, for any view they may form as to entitlement to pension. Entitlement, however, depends entirely on the medical history and other evidence in the case, and, in assisting the Ministry to determine a claim, medical officers are free to hold or obtain any further medical examination they may find necessary.
§ Mr. STEPHENDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that people who do not see the individuals concerned may 1307 be turning down people who are fully entitled to pensions, and is he aware of the great dissatisfaction that exists?
§ Mr. MILLSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Fletcher case at Swanscombe, Kent, is one of at least a dozen cases in the same area which is exciting a good deal of comment?
§ Mr. SPEAKERSir Assheton Pownall.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must put his question on the Paper. We cannot go into a particular case upon a supplementary question to the question on the paper.