§ 5. Mr. Culverwellasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that absenteeism and the transfer of labour are facilitated by the ease with which panel certificates can be obtained; and will he take steps to ensure that doctors grant such certificates only to genuine cases of sickness or physical disability?
§ Mr. BevinI have had representations with regard to the ease with which medical certificates are alleged to be obtainable in certain cases, and propose to consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on the matter. As regards action by my Department, certificates given by medical practitioners in their private capacity are not necessarily accepted as conclusive; an independent medical examination is required whenever this seems to be necessary.
§ Mr. CulverwellWill the right hon. Gentleman give wide publicity to his Reply to this Question, in view of the growing increase of avoidable absenteeism, and will he endeavour to secure the co-operation of the British Medical Association in checking this abuse?
§ Mr. ShinwellMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the allegations of absenteeism and of the slur thus cast on many workers, he will not go into this matter very carefully, and give the House what information he can?
§ Mr. BevinI am going into it very carefully, and, under the Essential Work Order, there is a chance of testing the facts. Prior to the Essential Work Order it was impossible to test the facts, but I am satisfied that there is at least prima facie evidence that, in the giving of the panel certificates, there has not been the care which ought to have been exercised.
§ Mr. Gordon MacdonaldCannot the genuineness of any medical certificate be examined by my right hon. Friend's Department?
§ Mr. BevinYes, and I propose to extend it, but, after all, I would remind hon. Members that the constant building-up of more forms of medical boards involves a great deal of organisation for what may be a comparatively few cases. 1234 In my view, the medical profession, like every other trade union, ought to accept their responsibilities.
§ Sir Francis FremantleMay I say that the medical profession is not a trade union and never has been?
§ Mr. George GriffithsIt is perhaps a good job for us that they are not.