§ Mr. BECKERasked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the cost of the Irish Medical Board in Dublin is £43,500 per year and only 20,000 patients are examined annually, he will, in the interests of economy, recommend the closing of this medical board and give pensioners in Ireland fixed pensions for life?
§ Major TRYONAs I pointed out to the hon. Member last Thursday, the cost of the Dublin Medical Board during the past 12 months was exceptionally high, owing to the abnormal difficulties of travelling and other conditions prevailing, but I stated that it had already been greatly reduced. I have every hope that the return of more normal conditions will shortly lead to a further reduction in the average cost of each examination. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that a scheme for the making of final awards has been in active operation since the beginning of the year. A large number of final awards has already been made, and I have taken steps to expedite the process as much as possible. I am afraid that the end the hon. Member has in view could not, in fairness either to the pensioner or the State, be attained by the means he suggests.