§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that representations have recently been made to his North-Western divisional officer by the South-East Lancashire Association for Mental Welfare submitting several cases of men conscripted into His Majesty's Forces of doubtful mental stability who might prove dangerous to their comrades, and asking that persons with proper qualifications for testing this type of case should sit on medical boards; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am aware of these representations and have received a communication from the association to which I am giving consideration. The association have not, however, provided identifying particulars of men of doubtful mental stability who have been enlisted. I have recently drawn the attention of medical boards to the importance of the examination of mental and nervous stability, and their instructions provide that in cases of doubt a specialist's opinion should be obtained. I am advised that it would be impracticable to include doctors with special qualifications of the kind indicated on every medical board. The association can best help by giving advance information before the men concerned are due to be medically examined, and I understand that this will be done for the future.