§ 9. Mr. Haleasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the great difficulty experienced by applicants for disablement pension who are unable, through poverty, to secure the attendance of medical witnesses on their behalf at the tribunal; and whether he will arrange for a procedure by which an applicant can submit a written application to the tribunal in advance of the hearing for certification of the costs of his medical witnesses.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am not aware of the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers and I have been informed that the pensions appeal tribunals know of no case in which an appellant has been unable, through poverty, to secure the attendance of a medical witness. But if the hon. Member can give me particulars of any such case, I shall be very glad to look into it.
§ Mr. HaleI am obliged to the hon. and learned Gentleman and greatly appreciate his reply. Unfortunately, this sort of thing does not come to the pensions tribunal. This is the case of the chap who feels that he has a right to be there and who goes to his panel doctor, who says, "Who is going to pay? A reasonable sum will do." The thing stops there. There are such cases, and I should be grateful if the hon. and learned Gentleman would have a word with me about them.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI shall certainly be very glad to have a word with the hon. Gentleman about it, if I may.
§ Mr. Hector HughesIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I have particulars of some such cases and that the only result in most cases is the defeat of justice? If those cases are brought to his notice, will he take steps to obviate this difficulty, which certainly exists?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI shall be glad to take advantage of any assistance which the hon. and learned Gentleman can give me.