HC Deb 03 February 1943 vol 386 cc913-4W
Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount of money paid to the medical profession from the commencement of hostilities to 31st December, 1942, for the medical examination of those called to the Forces?

Mr. Bevin

The total amount of fees and travelling expenses paid to chairmen and members of civilian medical boards and to consultant examiners for the period between the outbreak of hostilities and 31st December, 1942, was approximately £2,770,000. These payments related to the examination of persons called up under the National Service Acts for service in the Forces or in Civil Defence and of those volunteering for service in the Forces.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of medical men employed on medical boards since the outbreak of hostilities to 31st December, 1942; and if all those medical men so employed were chosen from lists supplied by the Central Medical War Committee to the Ministry?

Mr. Bevin

The only statistics readily available are those for the numbers of medical practitioners serving on medical boards and relating to the period since July, 1940. The average number so serving in the period up to 31st December, 1942, was 3,418; the largest number at any one date was 3,781 and the smallest, 3,014. All appointments to these boards prior to the outbreak of war were made from lists of names supplied by the Central Medical Emergency Committee; later appointments have been made from lists supplied by the Local Medical War Committees.