asked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases in which claims by ex-service men applying outside the seven years' limit have been rejected, but in which there has been differing medical opinion; and whether the Ministry proposes to reconsider its attitude on the claim that the ex-service men concerned should have the right to take such cases to an independent Court for a final decision?

In the absence of my right hon. Friend on Public Business, I have been asked to reply. I am informed that up to date some 45 cases in which there is material doubt or conflict of evidence have been, or are being, referred to the independent medical consultants for consideration and advice. Twenty-two of these cases have so far been considered by them, with results favourable to the claim in three cases, and unfavourable in 15, four cases being adjourned for further investigation. With regard to the second part of the question, the hon. Member is referred to the answer given to the Noble Lord the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Cranborne) on the 19th instant.