asked the Minister of Pensions how many cases he has found it necessary to refer to the independent panel of specialist medical advisers during the last 12 months; and what the recommendations have been in these cases?

The cases of all kinds in which, owing to serious doubt or difficulty on the evidence, it has been considered advisable to consult the independent medical experts numbered 42 during the year ending 29th September last. In 14 cases their recommendations were in favour of the claim, and all these were accepted by me.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that an assurance was given by the Minister of Pensions in May, 1917, that the case of pensioners promoted to a temporary commission, i.e., ex-ranker officers, would not be overlooked in connection with the Royal Warrant then in preparation; and what action has been taken to implement that assurance?

Special provision was made in the Royal Warrants dated the 1st August, 1917, and the 2nd July, 1920, to meet the case of ex-ranker officers with war disabilities. I will send the hon. and gallant Member copies of these Warrants.

Would these provisions apply equally to all other officers?

Portions of these warrants specially relate to the people about whom the hon. and gallant Member asks the question and therefore he has had a reply as to the steps which have been taken in that respect understood that was what he wanted to know.

I want to know whether ranker officers received any special consideration or only the same consideration as is given to others.

If the hon. Member will wait and read the warrant, he will see that that is specially mentioned.