HC Deb 30 April 1909 vol 4 cc703-4W
Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked the Lord Advocate if he will state what parish councils have opposed granting to poor law medical officers protection against arbitrary dismissal and the same privileges as are enjoyed by medical officers in England and Ireland?

Mr. URE

The proposal has not, so far as I am aware, reached a stage which has provoked an active expression of opinion on the part of parish councils; and on this point I can add nothing to the reply given to my hon. Friend last Monday (the 26th of this month).

Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked the Lord Advocate if he is aware that in several districts in the Highlands and Islands the poor have suffered from the action of certain parish councils in their treatment of medical officers; and if, in view of this fact, and that the question has been brought up at every election during the last 10 years and that candidates in variably have expressed themselves favourable to a proposal which would indirectly benefit the poor, he will reconsider the position?

Mr. URE

I am not aware of any case in which the poor have suffered through the action of a parish council in the treatment of their medical officer. If the hon. Member will specify any such case, full inquiry will be made by the Local Government Board. I am not aware that the question has been brought up at every election during the last 10 years, and that candidates invariably have expressed themselves favourable to a proposal which would indirectly benefit the poor.

Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked the Lord Advocate whether any remonstrance was received by the Secretary for Scotland from any school board in Scotland or from any Scottish Member against the proposal embodied in the Education Act of last year giving teachers right of appeal against arbitrary dismissal; and if he will state on what grounds it can be contended that medical officers should not be placed in the same position as teachers have been by that Act?

Mr. URE

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative, but I cannot admit that the two cases are parallel.