9. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction amongst members of the mercantile 16 marine and their dependants as to recent decisions of the body which administers thh War Risks Compensation Scheme, by which decisions the pensions and allowances originally awarded to members of the mercantile marine under that scheme have been drastically reduced and the claims of widows and children under that scheme have been, as it is alleged, improperly rejected; and whether, in view of the fact that there is at present no medical appeal tribunal in existence for the purposes of the scheme, he Will take steps to set up such appeal tribunal?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am nor aware of any general dissatisfaction in the mercantile marine as to the administration of the War Risks Compensation Scheme. Such increases and reductions as have been made from time to time in disablement allowances have resulted from the medical reports, which have to be obtained periodically, as to the degree of impairment of earning capacity. If in any case there is good primâ [...] ground for appeal, an appeal to a special hoard will be arranged. As regards the admission of new claims, I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy of the statement made in the House on the 9th November last regarding the appointment of a special Advisory Committee to deal with claims of doubtful admissibility.
Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, as to setting up a regular and not a casual appeal tribunal?
§ Mr. BALDWINI v ill consider that matter after seeing what is likely to be the result. My information at present is that what I suggest will be sufficient, but I will look into the question.