HC Deb 14 June 1951 vol 488 cc2510-1
39. Mr. H. A. Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why ex-police constable Dance, No. 111230, who was injured in the execution of his duties on 14th June, 1947, was not X-rayed despite repeated complaints, until five months later.

Mr. Ede

In March, 1949, Mr. Dance was found unfit for further police duty and was granted a pension with effect from 26th April, 1949. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that between the night of 13th-14th June, 1947, when Mr. Dance was injured, and 3rd November, 1947, when an X-ray examination was ordered by the Chief Medical Officer, Mr. Dance made no complaint which would have made an earlier X-ray examination advisable, and I can find no grounds for any suggestion that there was delay or neglect in arranging for appropriate treatment.

Mr. Price

Is it not a fact that when the X-ray was eventually taken it disclosed serious injuries to the spine, including a fractured posterior neural arch, subluxation of the fourth lumbar vertebrae on to the fifth and some forward displacement of the spine. In view of the serious nature of these injuries was not a delay of nearly five months quite unforgivable?

Mr. Ede

As soon as the complaint was made, the necessary steps were taken to ascertain the extent of the injury.

Mr. Price

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that answer, and the serious injustice done to Mr. Dance, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the first opportunity.