HC Deb 28 May 1940 vol 361 cc400-1
29. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the present position with regard to Private R. C. Williamson, No. 4916492, South Staffordshire Regiment; whethere he is aware that, in the opinion of the civilian doctors who have been attending him for years in Wolverhampton, he is suffering from unresolved bronchial pneumonia and is unfit for military service and ought to be discharged; that the medical officer commanding at Lichfield has refused to take any notice whatever of civilian evidence in regard to his past history offered by three doctors who know him, including X-ray photographs of the case; and why Private Williamson has been placed in the guard room at Lichfield?

Mr. Law

I am informed that Private Williamson has been under the care of an officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps who in civil life is a tuberculosis officer and a specialist in diseases of the chest. This officer found that the soldier was fit for duty. Arrangements have, however, been made for the soldier to be examined by the County Tuberculosis Officer, and I am awaiting a report of this examination. As regards the last part of the Question, I am informed that Private Williamson has on several occasions absented himself without leave and that, being under orders to proceed to another station, he was placed in a guard room to prevent his absenting himself again.

Mr. Mander

Where there is a long history of illness in civil life is it not the proper thing for the military doctors to take it into consideration? Does not the Minister think their conduct in this case looks rather like victimisation?

Mr. Law

The previous medical history of this man has been taken into consideration by the Army doctors, but in order to remove any doubts about the matter an outside expert has been called in and we are awaiting his decision.

Mr. Mander

But is not that precisely what the military doctors refuse to do? They refuse to accept any evidence whatever from three doctors who know about this case?

Sir Patrick Hannon

On a point of Order. May I ask whether Questions like this submitted to the Secretary of State for War could not have been settled privately by correspondence instead of by taking up the time of the House?

Mr. Mander

On that point of Order. There has been a long correspondence with the War Office on this question. I have done my best to settle the matter privately, but as I am not prepared to have one of my constituents treated in a way which is not right, I have brought it to the notice of the House.

Mr. Speaker

It is not a matter for me.