HC Deb 13 December 1922 vol 159 c2990W
Mr. GOULD

asked the Attorney-General whether, in respect of appeals by widows of ex-service men, consideration will be given by the tribunals, apart from the strict interpretation of the terms of the Royal Warrant, to those cases where it is definitely proved by the deceased's pre-War doctor and employer that the man was fit and strong before joining the Army; and whether it is the view of the tribunals generally that compassionate consideration should carry more weight than medical decision on the question whether the disease of which the man died was attributable or not to his service and that medical opinion upon the question of one disease predisposing the man to another disease of which there has been no continual medical history should not be accepted as final?

Sir D. HOGG

The function of the appeal tribunals is to decide in each case which comes before them whether the disease is attributable to or aggravated by military service, and they have to form their opinion upon the evidence submitted in each case without any regard to questions of policy.