§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether medical advice is available to insurance officers who decide eligibility for housewives non-contributory invalidity pension on the basis of a questionnaire completed by the applicant's general practitioner; and, if so, in what form.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisA report from a general practitioner is available to the insurance officer, except in cases where the claimant is in receipt of attendance allowance at the higher rate or has been, and still is, an in-patient of a hospital throughout the 28-week qualifying period. In these cases, a report is not needed. I have placed in the Library a copy of the form on which the report is made, together with a copy of the explanatory notes.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether medical advice is available to local national insurance tribunals when hearing appeals against refusal of housewives non-contributory invalidity pension; and, if so, in what form.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisLocal tribunals are provided with the medical evidence which was before the insurance officer at the initial determination of a claim. The tribunal chairman has discretion to arrange for a doctor to sit with the tribunal as an assessor.