§ 66. Mr. STEEL-MAITLANDasked the Home Secretary, as arising out of his answer given on 22nd January in regard to the case of Miss Emily Edwards, whether the referee in question had, before writing his report, used his power of consulting any of the doctors who had previously examined the patient?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have no information on the point, but I do not understand that any application was made to the referee to allow the doctor of either party to be present at the examination.
§ Mr. STEEL-MAITLANDIs it not in the power of the medical referee to put any question or to consult any doctor in regard to a case on his own initiative?
§ Mr. McKENNAI would rather have notice of the question before answering as to his actual powers.
§ 67. Mr. STEEL-MAITLANDasked the Home Secretary, in further reference to the case of Miss Emily Edwards and his answer of 22nd January, whether the examination of the patient by the medical referee did not take place till more than two months after the latest of the confirmatory certificates and more than three months after the original attack; and whether, in view of the rapid change in the symptoms of lead poisoning, the opinion of a general practitioner given under such circumstances can be satisfactory or conclusive; and whether he will have a fresh inquiry made into the whole circumstances of the case?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir, according to the information supplied to the Home Office, the certifying surgeon's certificate that the girl was suffering from lead poisoning and was thereby disabled for her employment was given on the 10th August last, and the examination by the medical referee took place on the 29th of the same month. Under Section 8 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, the decision of the medical referee was final, and I have no power to reopen the case.
§ Mr. STEEL-MAITLANDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the first place an examination by another medical authority was taking place under a mistake, so that the case was of considerably longer standing than would appear from the dates mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, and, under these circumstances, may I ask whether it is in his power to reconsider the case with the view to compensation being given to the party concerned?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have gone very fully into the circumstances of the case, and I am advised that I have no power to do what the hon. Gentleman suggests. I regret that I have no power.