§ 130. Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that considerable delay is taking place in connection with the examination of workmen by the medical board appointed under the Silicosis and Asbestosis (Medical Arrangements) Scheme; that in the Manchester and Welsh areas there are waiting lists of over 300 and 2,000, respectively, so that the examinations of workmen by the Board are delayed for periods amounting to as much as three months; why this unsatisfactory state of affairs has been allowed to develop; and what steps he has taken, or intends to take, to remedy the position immediately.
§ Mr. SteeleThere has, unfortunately, been some delay in dealing with these cases owing to the increase in the number of applications received this year. During the war it was difficult to get an adequate number of suitable doctors to undertake examination and certification under the pneumoconiosis schemes. Steps were taken in the early part of the year to obtain additional doctors but there was some unavoidable delay and it was only recently that, as the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Macpherson) was informed, six doctors have been appointed to the Board. Steps are also being taken to set up a separate panel of the Board in Edinburgh. It is hoped that these measures will enable cases to be dealt with expeditiously. The position will be kept under review and further steps will be taken if experience shows them to be necessary.