§ 9. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons examined by the medical boards under the Military Service Acts since the outbreak of war; and the numbers placed in each grade by the board; whether men examined and graded by the boards are given the right of appeal against their grading; and what steps must they take to lodge their appeals?
§ Mr. E. BrownOf the men summoned for medical examination under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act from the outbreak of war to 10th February, 1940, 74.8 per cent. were placed by the medical boards in Grade I, 12.1 per cent. in Grade II, 8.2 per cent. in Grade III and 4.9 per cent. in Grade IV. It would not be in the public interest to state the actual numbers of men examined. There is no statutory provision for appeals against decisions of the medical boards. If, however, fresh medical evidence is produced which suggests that a man has been wrongly graded, it is placed before the chairman and where necessary the man is re-examined.
§ Mr. GriffithsIf a man appears before a board and is dissatisfied with his grading, and if his doctor is convinced that an injustice has been done, will a re-examination take place on the production of a certificate?
§ Mr. BrownIn many cases that has been done. It would surely be the duty of his local doctor, if he thinks that evidence which he possesses has not been pat before the medical board, to see that it is brought to the attention of the board or to the Minister, when a re-examination can take place.
§ Mr. GriffithsIf a man is dissatisfied with his grading, has he the right to be re-examined?
§ Mr. BrownNo; the House will remember that this was debated at great length during the passage of the Bill, and the House firmly decided against it.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsSeeing that there is no appeal against the designation of the medical board, will the authorities accept full responsibility for pension if a man should break down a few weeks afterwards?