§ 81. Mr. Viantasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that members of his Department offering themselves as blood transfusion volunteers are to bear the cost of substitution if called for service, and no sick pay is to be allowed for sickness arising out of an operation; and whether he will, in the interest of National Service, reconsider these conditions?
§ Major TryonI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the emergency scheme for blood transfusion volunteers. So far as the clerical staff is concerned there is no objection whatever to their volunteering and no difficulty would arise about their being released for actual blood transfusions. The remainder of the Post Office staff are for the most part engaged on the maintenance of national services and their release for actual transfusions would necessarily be dependent on the exigencies of the service.
1951 The preliminary blood tests can usually be undergone outside official hours of duty and no payment for substitution would be required in the case of volunteers released for actual blood transfusions in time of national emergency. I have considered the position as regards sick pay. In future this will be allowed, subject to the ordinary rules, in the event of sickness arising out of blood transfusion.