HC Deb 09 November 1944 vol 404 cc1522-3
27. Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give, for the last 12 months for which figures are available, the number of cases of industrial dermatitis, certified as such by the certifying surgeon, which have occurred in Nottinghamshire; and the number against which appeals have been lodged by the employers.

Mr. H. Morrison

The figures for 1943 were 272 and 160 respectively.

29. Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state, for the last 12 months for which figures are available, how many cases of industrial dermatitis, certified as such by the certifying surgeon and sent on appeal to Dr. Airey, the medical referee at Leicester, have been decided in favour of the worker, and how many against.

Mr. H. Morrison

During the 12 months ended 30th September, 1944, 453 cases, certified to be due to the scheduled disease—dermatitis produced by dust or liquids—were sent on appeal to Dr. Airey. Of these 140 were decided in favour of the workman, and 313 against.

Mr. Cocks

Is my right hon. Friend aware that after some of these cases have been rejected, doctors have again examined the men, and have certified that they are suffering from industrial dermatitis? As the workers have no confidence whatever in Dr. Airey, will my right hon. Friend take that fact into consideration and appoint someone else in his place?

Mr. Morrison

I have made inquiries, and I have really no evidence that this doctor is incompetent or not impartial. I do not think that I should take steps such as my hon. Friend has indicated.

Mr. Cocks

Do not the results of appeals show that he rejects more cases than he accepts, even when other doctors have certified that the men are suffering from this disease? Does not that indicate that there is something wrong?

Mr. Morrison

Doctors frequently disagree. I think it would be wrong to assume that, because decisions by a majority are of a certain character, there is something wrong with this particular doctor. Doctors acting for the men may take a different view.

Mr. Bowles

Would it not be sufficient to accept a certificate from a doctor, showing that the man is unable to work, without all these inquiries?