§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement in respect of the application by Mr. HS, reference M8/221641, for war disablement pension, on the length of time it took the report from the war pensions committee of 28 October 1987 to be received by the social security central office, war pensions branch, in May 1989, and on the length of time it took to compile a report from the general surgeon concerning this case.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe war pensions committee which met on 28 October 1987 recommended that an independent medical examination should be carried out on Mr. HS and that his case should then be reviewed by the Department. The examination was arranged by the solicitors acting for Mr. HS and took place on 29 June 1988. A report of the examination was received by the Department in May 1989. As the report was inconclusive the Department's doctors decided in July 1989 that Mr. HS should be examined by a general surgeon. An examination was carried out in August 1989 but the surgeon's report was not received by the Department until February 1990. Unfortunately this, too, was inconclusive. The Department's doctors therefore requested a further consultant examination which took place on 4 April. As soon as this report is received it will be referred to the Department's doctors, and Mr. HS will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible afterwards. Of course, if Mr. HS's claim is successful payment will be backdated.