§ 44. Mr. MacVEAGHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he has received the sworn declaration of Miss Wade Thompson with regard to the circumstances under which she was prevented from resuming work at Woolwich Arsenal; whether the doctors still deny that she was prevented because she had been cured by Mr. Barker; whether she was paid for the fortnight during which she was not allowed to work; whether the notice sent to her by the medical department on 1st March with. 1729 regard to resuming work was sent before or after notice had been given of questions in Parliament; whether at the time the notice was sent Miss Wade Thompson had already been back at work for several days; and, seeing that this young lady is working in the same section under the same foreman and at the same machine, will he state who reported to him that she was working in a different section?
§ 57. Mr. BUXTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Munitions whether he can give the information derived from the inquiry into the proceedings of the medical department at Woolwich Arsenal in preventing the resumption of work by Miss Wade Thompson; and what action has been taken in the matter?
§ Sir W. EVANSMiss Thompson was not prevented from resuming work because she had been treated by Mr. Barker. When she offered to return to work on 13th February she did not produce a certificate that she was fit for work signed by a qualified medical practitioner as is required under the rules of the Arsenal. She was not paid for the fortnight (13th to 27th February) during which she was not at work. Nothing was known at the Arsenal of any question being raised in Parliament until 2nd March. Miss Thompson had been working since 27th February. In reply to the last part of the question, Miss Thompson was working at one time as a probationer under the Inspector at Laboratory Stores, and subsequently in the Ordnance Factory.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHMy hon. Friend has not answered the question. He stated on the last occasion that this young lady was allowed to resume work, and a few weeks ago she was put into a different, department. Is that true?
§ Sir W. EVANSI think my hon. Friend is mistaken. I think he will not find that answer was given. What is accurate in fact is that first she was employed, as I stated in my answer, in one department as a probationer, and subsequently she was put into another department.
§ Mr. BRADYIs it not a fact that this lady's father is a deputy-lieutenant of Dublin, an Army officer, and a Dublin citizen of very high reputation, and that he himself has corroborated the facts in this question by a statutory declaration?
Sir W. EVANI really do not know the lady's parentage, but I am quite prepared to accept my hon. Friend's statement. I think there is no question now as to the facts.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHCan the hon. Gentleman explain how it is that this young lady was prevented from resuming work, and how it is that she was not paid wages during the fortnight?
§ Sir W. EVANSI hoped I had explained that in my answer. The young lady did not present, as was necessary, a certificate that she was fit to work, signed by a medical practitioner, and until she did that there was obviously a risk in allowing her to resume employment, because she might not have been fit to do the work.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHDo I understand the hon. Gentleman to say that the doctors in the Arsenal deny the sworn statements of this young lady and her father that Mr. Barker sent her back, and they said, "Oh, you have been to Barker. You will not be allowed to resume work here." Do they deny that?
§ Sir W. EVANSThe statement of facts is as I have given it in my answer.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHI think, in fair play to this young lady, the truth ought to be told. She has made a sworn statement of what happened. Is her statement doubted by my hon. Friend?
§ Sir W. EVANSI have no reason to doubt that the young lady made her statement of what she believed to be the facts, and also I have no reason to doubt that the facts I have given to the House are accurate and complete.