HC Deb 26 June 1939 vol 349 cc34-5
69. Mr. Stephen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all militiamen who break down in health during the period of service and are no longer fit for work will be allocated pension in view of the fact that they have been certified as fit men before being called upon to undertake such service?

Sir V. Warrender

A militiaman will be eligible for a disability award if his disability is attributable to service. It will be appreciated that, although a man may be passed fit on entering the service, he may subsequently acquire a disability, or a latent disability may manifest itself, which has no connection with his military service.

Mr. Stephen

Will the Minister take steps to see that the examination is so conducted that latent disabilities will be discovered before men are passed into the Army?

Sir V. Warrender

I think that is beyond the wit of the medical profession.

Mr. Stephen

If it is beyond the wit of medical men, will the Minister see that pension is given in every case where the medical man has certified that the man was fit for service if he afterwards develops disabilities?

Sir V. Warrender

We endeavour to deal with cases, as I think the hon. Member knows, in as kindly a fashion as we can and try in every way to avoid harshness, but it would be impossible to accept liability for every complaint which a man might contract during his service.

Mr. Stephen

Is the Minister not aware of the great discontent which exists with regard to the treatment of men through a pension being refused because the doctors discover afterwards there was a latent disability which they had not discovered in the first place?

Mr. Silverman

If the medical examination cannot possibly disclose some latent defect, how is it possible for medical evidence at a later date, when the defect develops, to be sure that it was not brought on by military service?

Sir V. Warrender

There has to be some evidence that a man has undergone some exposure or some hardship during his military service to which his disability can be traced.

Mr. Sandys

Is it not a fact that six months' training can improve a man's health?