HC Deb 24 January 1951 vol 483 cc133-4
47. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Defence if he is aware of the widespread concern of the inadequate medical examination given to Service men prior to demobilisation, which tends to increase the number of healthy discharge reports and react unfavourably on subsequent applications for pension.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Strachey)

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements are now in force in all three Services for a comprehensive medical survey of all officers and men to be carried out shortly before release or retirement. The result of this examination is carefuly recorded. Where, subsequently, a claim to pension arises, the applicant is examined by a Ministry of Pensions medical board, whose report, together with the applicant's Service history —including the report of the medical examination on release—and all other relevant evidence is considered before a decision is reached. Many claims succeed notwithstanding that the Service medical report records that nothing abnormal was discovered at the time it was made.

Mr. Dodds

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that there is a large amount of evidence that the scanty medical examinations have been most unjust when illness becomes obvious after discharge? Doe he not think that the only fair system is: Fit for Service, fit for pension?

Mr. Strachey

If my hon. looks at my reply, he will see it is to the effect that the examination, which I cannot agree is scanty, before release or retirement is not the important factor in whether the claim for pension can succeed or not.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that medical examination on entering the Services is as comprehensive as he hopes to make the release examination?

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Was not the last sentence of the right hon. Gentleman's original reply to the effect that the examination of pensions claims shows the necessity in many cases to contradict the results of the examination when the pensioner left the Services, indicating that these examinations are quite useless? Will he see that they are properly carried out?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir. My last sentence was that "many claims succeed notwithstanding that the Service medical report records that nothing abnormal was discovered at the time it was made." But we fully agree that something may develop which may be considered attributable and which may be brought out at the Ministry of Pensions medical board examination.