§ 21. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Home Secretary the number of applications received by the Silicosis Medical Board from coal miners for certificates of disablement under the Various Industries (Silicosis) Schemes, 1928–34, in the six months ended 30th June, 1937; the number of applications received in the same period for certificates that death was caused by silicosis; how many of the applications were granted and how many refused; and separate particulars for the anthracite coalfield of South Wales?
§ Sir S. HoareAs the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ the time at which such information should be given?
§ Sir S. HoareAs my hon. Friend will appreciate, cases not infrequently occur in which a prisoner in custody on a charge involving drunkenness is incapable of expressing any wishes in the matter, and some such prisoners are obviously not in a position to pay a doctor's fee. In 1459 such cases it would clearly be superfluous to offer to call a doctor of the prisoner's choice, but, as I have already stated, any prisoner who expressed a wish to call in a doctor would be given all facilities to do so.
§ Sir J. MellorWill my right hon. Friend give instructions that any prisoners who are capable of taking advantage of it, should be informed of their right to call an independent doctor, and that that information should be given to them at the earliest possible moment?
Viscountess AstorIs not that rather a dangerous precedent, and does not the Minister think that some persons have pet doctors, and that pet doctors are apt to say what their patients want them to say?
§ Mr. LoganIs it possible, in the case of a person who is drunk and is taken to the police station, for him to ask his local Member of Parliament to come down?