§ Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the overcrowding of ex-Service patients in the West Riding Mental Hospital and the staff shortage there; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with these matters.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI am aware from reports of the Mental Specialist who visits the institutions in question to report on the well-being of ex-Service patients who are the charge of my Department that the position is not entirely satisfactory. Copies of those reports have been sent to the Board of Control, who are giving the matter urgent attention.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of Pensions if he will enumerate the diseases 240W which. are included as consensus of opinion cases.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingIt is not possible to prepare from all the diseases known to medical science a comprehensive list of those the onset or development of which would either generally or in certain circumstances be unaffected by war service. Moreover individual cases are considered on their merits in the light of all the facts and these may at times enable an award to be made in respect of a condition which in general would be unrelated to service. The following are examples of cases in which normally the disability would be regarded as unconnected with service:
- 1.Malignant diseases with certain well recognised exceptions;
- 2.Certain diseases of the glands, for example, lymphadenoma;
- 3.Certain diseases of the nervous system of developmental origin, for example, syringomelia;
- 4.Certain diseases of the blood and blood forming organs, such as leukaemia;
- 5.Progressive visual changes due to errors of refraction;
- 6. Venereal diseases.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of Pensions, what instructions have been issued by him to the independent tribunals in connection with consensus of opinion cases.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingNone, Sir. These independent tribunals are in no way under my control or direction.