§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether recently a telegraph clerk, who had been absent from duty for a week under a medical certificate of sickness, was peremptorily ordered, a few days after a fresh medical certificate had been furnished, to present himself for examination by the chief medical officer 1188 of the Post Office; whether he had been advised by his medical attendant to confine himself to the house; whether, on presenting himself as directed, he was told that he was "making a lot of fuss about nothing," and that he must resume his duty on the following Monday; whether he resumed his duty accordingly; whether he was placed on one of the heaviest wires in the Division; and, whether within a fortnight from the day of resuming duty he was dead?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)I have endeavoured to identify the case to which the hon. Member refers, and think he must allude to a telegraphist named Billinghurst, who died on August 9. The circumstances respecting his illness are not stated accurately in the Question. The facts are as follows:—Mr. Billinghurst was absent from duty from July 10 to July 23, on account of deranged liver. He attended to see the medical officer on July 23, said "he was feeling much better," and should be able to resume duty on Monday, July 26, when he took his ordinary circuit in accordance with the duty list. He remained on duty till Saturday, July 31, but consulted the medical officer on July 27, and again an July 30, which was the last occasion on which he saw the medical officer. He did not ask for further leave of absence, but for a change to Dover as soon as could be arranged. On Monday, August 2, he sent a medical certificate stating that he was not fit to attend. On August 5 he was written to to attend to see the medical officer if well enough. He did not attend, but sent a certificate to say he was suffering from fever. On the 9th he was asked to forward a certificate of the nature of the fever. The reply was a certificate stating he died on the 9th of typhoid fever. The words imputed to the medical officer are absolutely denied.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLgave Notice that in Committee of Supply he would call attention to this case and also to other cases of alleged misconduct on the part of the chief medical officer of the Post Office.