HC Deb 20 January 1944 vol 396 cc339-40
13. Mr. Butcher

asked the Minister of Labour if he will, with a view to conserving the time of doctors, arrange for appeals on hardship grounds to be determined before medical examination and not after.

Mr. Bevin

Under Section 6 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, this procedure may be adopted in special circumstances with my permission, but it could not be made compulsory without legislation. I do not think it would be generally satisfactory, because it would mean putting the applicants concerned to a good deal of trouble for what might prove to be no purpose. Accordingly, although I should wish to economise the time of doctors in any way possible, I regret that I cannot adopt the suggestion in the Question.

Mr. Butcher

If I bring forward a case will my right hon. Friend look into it?

Mr. Bevin

I will certainly go into any case my hon. Friend sends to me.