§ MR. KIMBERI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether Mr. D. W. Jones, a telegraph clerk with twenty years service, stationed at the Chief Office, London, has been threatened with superannuation, the reason assigned by the official medical officer being five single day absences last year; whether he is aware that Dr. Farrar, of Putney, certified that Jones was suffering from nervous disorder, and that a complete change of air was necessary; and will he explain why the official doctor disregarded the certificate and ignored the recommendation of Dr. Farrar, although making no examination of the patient; and whether 40 the Postmaster General will investigate the case with a view of securing more lenient treatment to men of long and good records.
§ MR. HANBURYThere has been no question of superannuating Jones. When Jones forwarded Dr. Farrar's certificate of the 23rd January, recommending a week's leave, he was allowed sick leave for the whole period so recommended. He stated that he did not see his way clear to act on the advice given by Dr. Farrar that he should take a change of air, but asked permission to do so later on when convenient to himself. He was instructed to see the medical officer of the Department before going away. He resumed duty, however, on February 1st.