§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered the effect upon ex-service men of Circular M.P.A.O. 15A, home treatment, which in cases where, as a result of medical examination by the Ministry doctors, treatment by a general practitioner is necessary, advises consultation with the national health insurance doctor on whose panel the man is listed, but also states that the man will not be prevented from working at a remunerative occupation in consequence of and during treatment allowance therefore not being payable; whether he is aware of the cases where the panel doctors thus concerned, after careful examination, have issued certificates definitely stating that they find the man incapable of work, but the Ministry of Pensions has refused to honour such certificate; and whether, when such decision is given for disabilities which the Ministry agrees as being duo to, or aggravated by, war service, he will give instructions to local area offices that certificates granted by the national health insurance doctor, to whom the man was specially referred, are acceptable and full treatment allowances be granted for the periods of incapacity covered?
Mr. MUIRThe conditions governing the grant of allowances, under Article 6 of t he Warrant, are not identical with those which determine certification far the purpose of sickness benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts. My right hon. Friend regrets, therefore, that he is unable to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question. At the same time, the circular letter referred to does not appear to my right hon. Friend to be altogether satisfactory, and it will be reconsidered.