HC Deb 14 March 1935 vol 299 cc541-3
23. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the apprehension of disabled persons while they are subject to decisions made by medical referees of whom it is known that they frequently act in a private capacity for employers and indemnity companies; and whether he is contemplating an amendment to the Workmen's Compensation Acts and the establishment of a board of medical referees who are not in private practice?

Sir J. GILMOUR

It is a condition of the appointment of a medical referee that he shall hold no regular employment either on the employers' or on the workers' side, but it has not been found practicable to prohibit their engaging in private practice and proposals of the kind suggested in the question have been considered and rejected by Parliament. Great care is taken to secure the services of medical men of independent judgment and the highest possible standing, but if the hon. Member has any individual case in mind and will send me particulars, I shall be glad to make any necessary inquiry.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the last time Parliament had an opportunity of expressing itself on this question was in 1923, and is it not the case that further instances have been brought to the notice of the Home Office from time to time? Is he not also aware that, although medical practitioners are not permanently employed by employers, there are cases in which they frequently act for both employers and indemnity companies and at the same time act as referees in cases in which the same employer or indemnity company is involved, and does he think it possible for them to maintain an impartial attitude in such circumstances?

Mr. CAPORN

Is it not equally true that these doctors frequently act on behalf of the men through the trade unions?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I think all I should say is that it is very difficult to make absolutely certain that these medical officers act, as one would desire, without any connection either with employers or workpeople, and that, if the hon. Member has a particular case which he desires to bring to my notice, I shall be prepared to consider it.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to reconsider the question of establishing a panel of independent medical practitioners who will neither serve employers nor employés?

Mr. ANEURIN BEVAN

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a common practice for employers to call for medical reports to be made upon cases, and, a week or two afterwards, for the same doctor to act as a medical referee in the case of the very applicant he has examined for the employer?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I cannot give any undertaking as to what I may do, but I am prepared to consider the problem. It is by no means an easy one to solve.