HC Deb 01 May 1913 vol 52 cc1405-6W
Mr. WILES

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the case of an officer in the Northern District post office who has been recalled to duty while having scarlet fever in his family without the necessary certificate of disinfection having been obtained, as provided for in Rule 142, Staff Rule Book; will he state if the duties of this officer bring him into contact with the public as well as the staff, and whether the staff have petitioned against the return of this officer as being a danger to them, and why the rule appears to have been disregarded in this case; and is he aware that the local officer of health has forbidden another member of the family to return to work until the necessary disinfection is carried out?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am aware of the case. The officer in question was allowed to resume duty on the advice of the local post office medical officer and the chief medical officer to the Post Office, who were both satisfied that the invalid was satisfactorily isolated and that there was no risk of infection, either to the Post Office staff or to the public. This course was not contrary to the Rule in question, which does not require the production of a certificate of disinfection in every case before the resumption of duty.