§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what persons must sit on an Army medical board; and whether the subject of an Army medical board must be present at the hearing.
§ Mr. FreemanThe composition of an Army medical board is dependent upon the type of board convened of which there are four: a Ministry of Defence (Army) medical board, a full medical board, a two-member board or a joint service medical board. The regulations require such medical boards to examine the subject.
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§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rights of appeal Army service men and women have in respect of Army medical board recommendations.
§ Mr. FreemanA member of the Army who wishes to appeal against the recommendation of an Army medical board may submit a redress of complaint, through the chain of command, under section 181 of the Army Act 1955.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rights Army service men and women have to inspect information disclosed about them to an Army medical board or an Army medical appeals board.
§ Mr. FreemanInformation disclosed to a medical board is classified as medical-in-confidence and consequently neither service men nor women have a right of inspection.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time an Army medical board takes to report its findings.
§ Mr. FreemanThis depends upon the type of board and the nature of the case. Findings are usually reported within two to four weeks,
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time an Army medical inquiry board takes to report its findings.
§ Mr. FreemanIt is not possible to give the average time taken to report the findings of a board of inquiry as it is dependent upon the case and the number of witnesses involved.