§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the 2135W referee under the health insurance scheme reported in the case of Mr. A. Battman, St. Mary Street, Bedwas (Mon.), Reference 5/MB/1476, that he would be incapable of any work for a long time to come, and that the medical tribunal assessed him at 20 per cent. only on the 14th instant; and whether, seeing that it is the same doctors who constantly attend these tribunals, and if an appeal is made it is the same people who again examine and determine, he will in this case secure a different board to deal with the case on appeal?
Mr. MUIRThis man was examined last month by a medical board comprising a specialist and consisting of entirely different personnel from that of the last board which examined him 12 months previously. Both of these boards assessed disablement at 20 per cent., and a final award of pension at that rate has now been notified, against which it is open to the man to appeal to the independent appeal tribunal if he so desires.