§ MR. SCHWANNI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that a clerk named Martin, stationed at the Central Telegraph Office, London, visited the official Medical Officer on 31st March suffering from bad eyes, and the Medical Officer returned him as fit for duty in spite of strong protests, but the next day the hospital authorities certified that Martin was unable to follow his occupation for a fortnight; and, whether the Postmaster General will personally investigate the circumstances of the case?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General has inquired into the circumstances of this case. It appears that early on the 31st ultimo Martin consulted the official Medical Officer in regard to one of his eyes from which he was suffering. The Medical Officer treated him; but early in the afternoon Martin returned, and complained that his eye was worse. It is not the fact that the official Medical Officer returned him as fit for duty. But it is the fact that Martin, in a very discourteous manner, asked the Medical Officer whether he intended to send him back to the gallery; and that the Medical Officer thereupon told him that, if he was dissatisfied, he had better see the Medical Officer in Chief. As the Medical Officer in Chief was out, after waiting some little time Martin went to the Deputy Controller of the Telegraph Gallery, by whom he was at once released from duty. The next day the hospital authorities certified that he was unable to follow his occupation, but no period was named, and he resumed duty on the 6th April. Martin saw the Medical Officer in Chief on the 4th instant, and offered to apologise for his discourtesy to the official Medical Officer.