§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked with regard to the certifying factory surgeons for the districts of Burslem, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and Tunstall, what is the number of lead-workers examined monthly by each certifying surgeon; what remuneration in respect of such work does each certifying 6 surgeon receive annually; and does the payment include the treatment of lead-workers suffering from lead poisoning or advice as to treatment?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)The average monthly numbers of lead-workers examined are approximately as follows:—Burslem, 1,450; Hanley, 1,400; Stoke, 2,100; Tunstall, 650. The surgeons' fees for these examinations are, under the Act, required to be paid by the employer, and I cannot therefore give the total amount of the remuneration received for the work. The payment includes only the examination of the workers for the purposes of the special rules and does not therefore cover treatment or any advice as to treatment, though I understand the surgeons often advise workers to obtain treatment either of their own doctor or at the North Staffordshire Infirmary. I should like to add that the Chief Inspector and the Medical Inspector of Factories have a very high opinion of the manner in which the work of examination is done by the surgeons in question.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one case 2,100 people were examined by one doctor on twenty days? That involves over one hundred examinations per day. Is it possible for a doctor to carry out that work and at the same time carry on private practice?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWith regard to the number of monthly examinations made by each certifying surgeon, it must be borne in mind that many of the persons examined are old employés and that their previous condition is known to the doctor.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the practicability of making the certifying surgeons whole-time officials?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that the certifying surgeon who made the 2,000 examinations referred to by the hon. Member gives the whole of his time to the work.