§ 27. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a number of workmen employed in the collieries in the Aberdare and Rhymney valleys have recently, on leaving at the conclusion of their day's work, been subjected to a medical examination for miner's nystagmus by a doctor who claimed to represent a research society; whether these examinations were conducted with the authority of his Department; and will he take steps to see that in future such examinations will only take place after consultation and with the agreement of the workmen's representatives, and after notice given to the workmen that such an examination is to take place?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Isaac Foot)The investigation in question is being conducted privately by a local doctor, and I have therefore no responsibility or power to intervene; but I am informed that, in general, the workmen's representatives were consulted and agreed before the workmen were examined, and that it was only at one colliery, by an oversight which the doctor regrets, that this was not done.
§ Mr. FOOTI shall be happy to do so. I understand that it is only in one instance that trouble has arisen.
§ Mr. C. EDWARDSWas this examination made at the instigation of the colliery company?
§ Mr. FOOTI cannot say. I think that there was no objection generally, but in one case a preliminary request from the miners' representatives should have been made.
§ Mr. MARTINDoes the Secretary for Mines say that it is necessary, if the colliery company wish to employ a doctor on their own behalf to examine the men that they must first receive the permission of the men's representative?