§ Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many fully qualified physicians, surgeons and medical practitioners are employed on the staff of his Department; and what is the total cost of their employment.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonOne hundred and sixty and £490,273 in 1962–63.
§ Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether the members of the qualified medical staff in his Department who advise him as to appeals against awards of benefit from industrial injuries and disease are the same persons who may be required to advise him in the exercise of his discretion regarding a possible modification of the award.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonI have no discretion to modify awards of benefit made by the statutory authorities under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts.