HC Deb 10 April 1940 vol 359 cc582-3
90. Sir Robert Bird

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 11house physicians and house surgeons of the Royal Hospital, Wolver Hampton, were recruited on 1st September last into the Emergency Medical Service, and were informed that they would be retained in their then posts in the hospital for a period of three months from that date, and that one month later their appointments were cancelled without payment of salary; and is it intended that the same three months' salary shall be paid to these 11 doctors as that which has been paid to all house officers recruited under the same class and whose appointments have been cancelled under like circumstances?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)

The practitioners referred to were enrolled in the Emergency Medical Service last September, on a three months' contract, involving liability to be called up for service, in the first instance, at the Royal Hospital, Wolver Hampton. No occasion arose for calling them up, and their contracts accordingly lapsed, without any question of remuneration. I am unable to agree that these officers have received different treatment from others in comparable circumstances.

Sir R. Bird

While thanking the hon. Lady for that reply, might I ask whether it is not a fact that others who were enrolled in like circumstances have received compensation in respect of the cancellation of their enrolment?

Miss Horsbrugh

These particular officers at Wolver Hampton enrolled, and were not called up. In other districts, officers enrolled, and were called up; and, because they were called up, they have received remuneration. There was no need to call up these officers; and, therefore, they did not receive remuneration.

Mr. Mander

Is not that point purely a technicality? Is it proposed to deprive these doctors, because they failed to fill in a certain form, of pay which is going to all their colleagues?

Miss Horsbrugh

No, I do not think it is only a case of failing to fill in a form, nor is it a technicality. Certain officers in Was all, who were called up, had particular work to do; and those who were called up were then liable to be sent to any part of the country where their services were required. Those who were not called up, but were merely enrolled, remain in their hospitals, doing exactly the same work as they were doing before.

Mr. Mander

If my hon. Friend and I bring to the attention of the hon. Lady cases which are comparable, where payment has been made, will the hon. Lady be good enough to look into them?

Miss Horsbrugh

Officers have been called up only when it was thought necessary to utilise their services.