HC Deb 26 July 1955 vol 544 cc982-3
52. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement following his investigations into the case of Malcolm Harris; what happened at his medical board; and why he was instructed to report to the Royal Air Force on 11th July last.

Mr. Watkinson

Further inquiries into this case have led me to the conclusion that Mr. Harris must have been wearing his steel corset when he attended the medical board. My right hon. and learned Friend's previous reply was based on the statement adhered to by the medical examiners that he was not wearing it when he appeared before them; no mention of it was made by Mr. Harris in recording his medical history nor did the consultant who saw him record it. Mr. Harris was instructed to report to the Royal Air Force on 11th July because he satisfied the minimum medical requirements and had been accepted for that Service. As my right hon. and learned Friend has already informed the hon. Member, such notice was cancelled and arrangements are being made for Mr. Harris's re-examination by another board as soon as possible and he will advise the hon. Member of the outcome of that examination.

Mr. Dodds

But is it not a deplorable state of affairs that doctors at a medical examination ask a man to take off his corset with steel supports and that is not put on record at the medical examination? In view of the fact that it is not contested that the man was attending for treatment at hospital three times a week, is it not deplorable that a man in such a condition should be detailed for one of Her Majesty's Armed Services?

Mr. Watkinson

I do not at all agree with the hon. Member. I think that there is here quite a genuine misunderstanding. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] If I may, I will explain why. It is a perfectly logical and reasonable point. So far as I can find out, Mr. Harris was wearing his corset when he was seen by one of the members of the staff of my Ministry who merely recorded the initial details. He wore a white coat and may quite well have been mistaken for a doctor.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

I suppose he examined the doctors.

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