§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Labour the number of days lost in the pits of Durham from the beginning of September, 1939, up to the most recent date, which unemployment is due to no fault of the workmen?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe only figures I can give relate to the numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64, in the coal-mining industry, recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Durham on one date in each month. The figures for each month since September, 1939, were as follow:—
§ Mr. E. BrownThe number of medical boards at present appointed is 164. It is the practice wherever possible to select as chairmen of medical boards practitioners with special experience of work of an analogous kind. I have no information, however, as to the number of chairmen who acted in a similar capacity during the past war.
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§ Mr. Denvilleasked the Minister of Labour what are the essential qualifications for, and conditions applicable to, the appointment of the chairmen of medical boards for the examination of recruits; and whether any regard is given to available doctors who have had similar or any practical medical board experience in the last war?
§ Mr. BrownChairmen of medical boards are selected from practitioners of standing in the profession whose names are supplied by the British Medical Association to the medical officers of the Ministry of Health. Wherever possible practitioners are selected who have had special experience in work of an analogous kind.