HC Deb 28 June 1906 vol 159 cc1145-6
MR. CLELAND (Glasgow, Bridgeton)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is now in a position to state the number of medical officers he proposes to appoint to carry out the duties formerly performed by the post office medical officer for Glasgow, and the respective districts he proposes to allocate to each; and whether, having regard to the present position of affairs, he can see his way to expedite the appointments proposed to be made.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I propose to appoint six medical officers for Glasgow. Full particulars of the respective districts can be obtained by candidates from the postmaster of Glasgow. In regard to the latter part of the Question, I have already answered it in reply to the Question of my hon. friend the Member for Buteshire.

* MR. LAMONT (Buteshire)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he can now see his way to fill the vacant posts of medical officers to the Glasgow Post Office, in order to relieve Scottish Members of the burden of correspondence placed on them by the applications of medical men from all parts of the country.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

As soon as it was possible to decide into how many districts Glasgow should be divided for medical purposes, instructions were at once given that the six vacancies should be advertised in the usual way, and that applications be invited within seven days. These applications are to be sent to the Postmaster at Glasgow; and applications already received either locally or at headquarters will be considered, unless, in view of the altered circumstances, they are withdrawn. The appointments will be made as soon as possible, but the number of applicants is enormous, and the selections will necessarily take time. I am anxious to relieve hon. Members of the burden of correspondence thrown upon them in connection with these medical and other appointments for their own sake, and, I may add, for my own also. I ventured to suggest to the House in the debate on the Post Office Estimates that the present system of approaching Members in order that they should bring pressure to bear in regard to those and other appointments was very much to be deprecated, and I hope that I shall have the general support of the House in discouraging the system as far as possible.

MR. WATT (Glasgow, College)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he has taken into consideration the advisability of appointing one or more female doctors to the position of medical officers to the post office at Glasgow; and if he will now say into how many districts he proposes to divide the appointment.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I do not think it would be advisable to appoint female medical officers to any of the six districts into which Glasgow will be divided.