§ 22. Major Milnerasked the Minister of Pensions on what date a request was made to the British Medical Association to provide medical men for pensions appeal tribunals; and with what result?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe Secretary of the British Medical Association acts also as Secretary of the Central Medical War Committee and in that capacity was formally consulted in regard to the medical requirements for the staffing of pensions appeal tribunals.
§ Major MilnerOn what date?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI should require notice of that question.
§ Major MilnerIn my Question I asked on what date such a request was made and with what result. Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the Question?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI cannot give the exact date, because we have applied several times. We are always applying and inquiring, and the answer has been that the personnel was not available.
§ Major MilnerIs it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman has never made a single formal request to this Association for the provision of medical men?
§ Sir W. WomersleyNo, it is not.
§ Major MilnerThen will the right hon. Gentleman say on what date the request was made?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI cannot give the date. That is a definite answer.
§ Major MilnerWill the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give me the date next week?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI can give it to-day if the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants it.
§ Sir Francis FremantleWill my right hon. Friend take it from me that the British Medical Association say that they have received no such request?
§ 23. Major Milnerasked the Minister of Pensions on what date was a request made or a direction given to the Medical Personnel Priority Committee to provide medical men for pensions appeal tribunals; and with what result?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI consulted the Medical Personnel (Priority) Committee on 24th October, 1941.
§ Major MilnerWhile admitting that it is extremely difficult, is it not a fact that since that date, nor indeed at any time, has the right hon. Gentleman made a formal request for the provision of medical personnel?
§ Sir W. WomersleyNo, Sir. I am keeping in close touch with the Service Departments, and in the case of every medical officer who is discharged from the Departments, I take into consideration whether 849 he will be suitable for this work or not. I am constantly reviewing the position, day by day.
§ Sir I. FraserWill the right hon. Gentleman ask the B.B.C. to invite medical men to apply for these jobs?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI have advertised in the medical Press, and I have had a certain number of replies. If the hon. and gallant Member saw the comments alongside the applications after I have made my inquiries, he would know exactly the difficult position I am in.
§ Sir I. FraserDoes that mean that my right hon. Friend wants to handpick these men?
§ 25. Sir F. Fremantleasked the Minister of Pensions what steps he has taken with the Central Medical War Committee to find out what medical men are available and suitable for service on the proposed pensions tribunals?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe Central Medical War Committee was consulted by the Medical Personnel (Priority) Committee when the latter body was asked to consider the availability of medical men for pensions appeal tribunals.
§ Sir F. FremantleDoes my right hon. Friend know that at a meeting of the Committee last Friday, at which I was present, they said they had had no applications whatever, and that the Secretary of the Priority Committee also told me so?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI have given my answer, and it is correct, whatever my hon. Friend's information may be.
§ Sir F. FremantleWill my right hon. Friend make a definite application to the Central Medical War Committee to ask them if they will make inquiries as regards all the men who are constantly being turned out of the Services and many of whom would be very useful in this way?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am quite willing to receive applications from anyone or to consult with anyone, and if my hon. Friend has the names of any medical men to submit to me, I shall be very pleased.
§ Sir F. FremantleWill my right hon. Friend make a definite application to the Secretary to make inquiries?