§ 83. Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Home Secretary whether he has laid a complaint before the Royal College of Surgeons about Sir Victor Horsley; if so, what is the nature of the complaint; and whether he has refused to give to Sir Victor Horsley any information as to its nature?
§ Mr. McKENNASir Victor Horsley made certain public statements reflecting very seriously upon the professional conduct and skill of two medical officers in the prison service. In justice to those officers, I considered it my duty to bring to the notice of the Royal College of Surgeons the statements made by him and the facts of the case as already stated by me in substance in this House. Having laid this full statement before them, I left the matter in their hands. In reply to Sir Victor 1438 Horsley's requests for information, I have referred him to the Royal College of Surgeons. The communication of the contents of my letter is a matter entirely in their discretion.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not think, before making a complaint, or at the time of making a complaint, against a gentleman in the position of Sir Victor Horsley, it would have been better and fairer to have sent a copy of the complaint to the gentleman in question?
§ Mr. KINGDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the same rule would apply to Sir Victor Horsley's own conduct?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir; I think if the rule were a good one it would apply, no matter what the position of the person may be. In this particular case nothing was communicated to the Royal College of Surgeons except what was made public, either by Sir Victor Horsley or by me in this House. I thought it my duty to bring his public statement to the notice of the Royal College of Surgeons.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILHave not the Royal College of Surgeons jurisdiction to consider, judge, and inflict penalties on any member of that body who is guilty of conduct which they regard as unprofessional?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe whole of this complaint is within the knowledge of the accused person. I have communicated to the Royal College of Surgeons the attacks made by Sir Victor Horsley on prison officials.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman now send a copy of the communication he made to the Royal College of Surgeons to Sir Victor Horsley?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; I adhere to the view I took originally, that it is a matter within the discretion of the Royal College of Surgeons. I have not marked my letter private, and they are perfectly at liberty to send my letter to Sir Victor Horsley.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman say what objection he has to conveying to Sir Victor Horsley his letter, which must be of great importance to him?
§ Mr. McKENNAI, personally, have not the slightest objection, but I wrote my letter to the Royal College of Surgeons, and it is for them to communicate with Sir Victor Horsley.