§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that a female telegraphist of the Western District Office, London, visited Dr. Mason, the official medical officer, on 18th December, and, whilst admitting she was 580 suffering from a severe cold, stated she could perform her duties; that, on the same day, Dr. Oswald, of Brixton, who has been in attendance on the telegraphist for some time, certified she had bronchial catarrh and debility, and ordered her to remain indoors; and that, although Dr. Oswald afterwards extended the certificate till 28th December, the telegraphist has been reported and punished with the loss of two days' pay for remaining from office during this period; whether it can be stated why the Post Office official declines to accept the certificate of a well-known practitioner; and whether the Postmaster General will personally investigate the circumstances which have led to the telegraphist being condemned for malingering though only acting in obedience to medical instructions.
§ MR. HANBURYIn the opinion of the Medical Officer of the Western District, who saw the telegraphist in question on the 18th and 23rd of December, her state of health on those days was not such as to require her to remain at home; but as Dr. Oswald, who saw her on the 26th, was of a contrary opinion, the Postmaster General has thought it right to give her the benefit of the doubt, and her pay for the two days in question has been allowed.