HC Deb 18 March 1880 vol 251 cc1203-4
MR. SULLIVAN (for Mr. O'SHAUGH-NESSY)

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If Mr. Marcus Allen, Acting Staff Surgeon of H.M.S. "Albatross," with seniority as Surgeon in the Navy of November 1870, was admitted as a patient in Haslar Hospital in November 1878, and after remaining some time under treatment was reported by Dr. Watt Ried (now Medical Director General of the Navy) as suffering from incurable disease and a fit subject for survey, with a view of his being invalided out of the service; whether it was true that such survey was not granted by the late Medical Director General; whether Mr. Allen was subsequently' discharged from hospital as "relieved," not cured, and detailed for service afloat; whether, on his applying to the Admiralty for permission to be surveyed at Haslar as to his fitness for duty, he was surveyed at the office of the then Medical Director, and being pronounced fit to serve, and having taken up his appointment, his health completely failed, and he tendered his resignation in consequence; and, whether, under the circumstances, he will be given any compensation for his services, or whether his case will be referred back to Dr. Watt Ried, the present Medical Director General?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Mr. Marcus Allen, while a patient in Haslar Hospital in 1878, was recommended for survey by Dr. Watt Ried, on the ground that he was suffering from an incurable disease, but one which, nevertheless, was not beyond remedial measures. This survey, however, was not then ordered by the Medical Director General. On Mr. Allen's discharge from hospital he was appointed to a Coastguard cruiser. In accordance with the practice of the Ser- vice, he was medically surveyed in London, and not at Haslar, as he had requested, and was reported fit for active service. On this he requested permission to resign, as not equal to the responsibilities of the position either mentally or physically. His resignation was accepted, and he never joined his ship. It is not customary to give compensation to officers who resign, nor to re-consider their cases with a view to their re-admission into the Service, for which an Order in Council would be required.