§ Mr. Lyonsasked the Minister of Labour for what times per day and whether daily or not medical boards sit for the examination of registered persons; and what, approximately, is the average number of doctors employed, wholly or partially, respectively, on this duty at the latest known date and at similar dates in March, April and May, 1940, respectively?
629W
§ Mr. BevinI regret that it is not possible without the expenditure of much time and labour to give the exact information asked for by my hon. and learned Friend. A session of a medical board occupies approximately 2½ hours. A board holds from one to four sessions a day, and the frequency with which it meets varies according to the numbers of men awaiting examination. The number of boards at present in operation is 223 and their work is distributed as evenly as practicable among all the chairmen and panel members, who exceed 3,600. Both chairmen and panel members are employed and paid on a sessional basis.