14. Mr. J. T. Priceasked the Minister of National Insurance if in cases of industrial dermatitis referred to medical appeal tribunals the medical members appointed to adjudicate are in all cases qualified dermatologists.
§ Mr. TurtonNo, Sir. I could not accept the suggestion that medical appeal tribunals should always include specialists in the particular condition from which an appellant may be suffering. But in a case of dermatitis the evidence before the tribunal always includes a report by a dermatologist.
Mr. PriceWould the hon. Gentleman not agree that it is considered by people well qualified to judge that in discussing or adjudicating upon these difficult cases, 1454 the presence of general physicians who have no dermatological qualifications is quite useless because these cases involve questions not only of disease but also of medical-legal fact which has a bearing upon the decisions made? Is the Minister aware that there is a good deal of disquiet about the manner in which these cases are being disposed of at the moment?
§ Mr. TurtonNo, Sir, the Ministry have not had such indications. There is general satisfaction with the decisions of the medical appeal tribunals which consist of physicians of very great eminence. The adoption of any suggestion such as that made by the hon. Member would involve great delay in the treatment of these cases.