§ MR. BELL (Derby)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. H. Langley Browne, the medical referee for the West Bromwich district, appointed by the Home Office under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1897, is acting as medical adviser to the Great Western Railway Company in the case of a man named Ernest Steventon, who is making a claim under the Workmen's Compensation Act; and whether he can take steps to secure that in any application by this workman for arbitration with respect to the compensation payable to him, this medic I referee shall not be appointed to report on the nature and extent of the injuries sustained by the claimant.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers Douglas.) I have communicated with Mr. H. Langley Browne, and he informs me that the statement in the Question is correct, but that if occasion should arise for a report upon the case, he quite understands that arrangements would have to be made for its being taken by another of the referees appointed for the district. He further informs me that in point of fact he has never been called upon to act in his capacity as medical referee under the Workmen's Compensation Act since his appointment in 1898. I have felt it my duty, however, to point out to him that the position which he holds of 1025 medical adviser to a railway company is not compatible with that of medical referee.