HC Deb 16 February 1956 vol 548 cc2521-2
28. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Labour on what date and by what procedure Mr. J. Meager, 293, Abbey Road, Belvedere, was informed that he could supply medical testimony by his own doctor for the information of the medical board; whether this testimony was taken into consideration before the board made a grading decision; and what grade was decided upon which resulted in his being directed to the Army.

Mr. Iain Macleod

With the summons to medical examination sent to Mr. Meager on 14th September, 1955, was a notice of which I will send the hon. Member a copy, advising him that the medical board would give careful consideration to any medical evidence he produced. There is no copy of any certificate with his papers. I can assure the hon. Member that the board took full account of Mr. Meager's psychiatric condition and placed him in medical Grade II. He did not appeal against that grading which, I understand, was confirmed by an Army psychiatrist.

Mr. Dodds

Is the Minister aware that this young man has said that he did not get such a form? Is he further aware that the young man's own doctor, who was for years an Army doctor, testified that psychologically and physically Mr. Meager was unfit for any form of military service? Has not that opinion been borne out now that the young man has been discharged as unfit after weeks of misery and the waste of a good deal of public money?

Mr. Macleod

I am afraid that I could not accept that. So far as the form is concerned, I understand that it was sent to Mr. Meager. The Board unanimously came to the conclusion that the right grade was Grade II, and when he went into the Army and had his first two examinations that grading was confirmed by an Army psychologist and an Army psychiatrist. A man's condition may worsen and it does not seem to me to follow that because a man is discharged from the Army the original grading was necessarily wrong.