§ Major CARVERasked the Minister of Pensions how many permanent awards have been made in the last year and how many men are being re-boarded for medical examination; and whether he will consider the desirabiltiy of now making all awards permanent?
§ Mr. F. O. ROBERTSDuring the 12 months ending September last, some 26,300 final awards were made. The number of officers and men medically re-examined at the instance of the Ministry has been greatly reduced, and at the present time is on an average not more than about 300 a week. I have full sympathy with the hon. and gallant Member's desire that medical examination should be reduced to the minimum possible. While there would be no power, nor would it be in the best interests of pensioners, to make final awards in all cases without regard to2012W Whether they were suitable or not, it is the policy of the Department to give prolonged awards wherever justifiable.