§ MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a telegraphist named Emberson, at the Central Telegraph Office, London, was attended by the official medical adviser at varying periods during October, November, and December of last year; that it became necessary for him to be sent home before his duty expired on occasions during this period; that, upon resuming after absence from an attack of illness, having been sent off by an official doctor, the chief medical officer sent for him, and reprimanded him for keeping away from work; and that this official stated that no reason existed for his absence, and in consequence a day's pay was deducted; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that the chief medical officer had not attended Emberson previously, and made no examination of him at the time, he will investigate the circumstances of the case.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) Mr. Emberson was seen on November 30th by a medical officer of the headquarter staff who reported that Mr. Emberson was suffering from headache, and that he should either resume duty on the following day or obtain a renewal of the sick certificate. Mr. Emberson did neither, but absented himself without leave on December 1st and his pay for the day was rightly stopped, as the chief medical officer was satisfied that he was able to have visited the medical officer on that date.