HC Deb 30 March 1911 vol 23 cc1670-1W
Mr. STEEL-MAITLAND

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Miss Emily Carnall, of Buchanan Street, Pendleton, was employed by the Pilkington Tile Company for thirteen years, during some portion of which time she admittedly had suffered from lead poisoning; that, subsequent to her terminating her employment with the firm in 1909, she was certified by Dr. Berry, of Pendleton, and by Dr. Martin, the certifying surgeon of Salford, to whom she went under the impression that he was the certifying surgeon for Pendleton, to be suffering from lead poisoning; that, on applying to Dr. Holmes, the certifying surgeon for her own district, she was refused a certificate; that the medical referee, Dr. Judson Bury, decided against her appeal after hearing Dr. Holmes and not hearing Dr. Berry; that Dr. Judson Bury's finding was, on this account, referred back to him by the county court judge for Salford; and that a subsequent finding, because of its unsatisfactory character, was referred back also; whether, seeing that, subsequent to Dr. Judson Bury's final decision against her, Miss Carnall was examined by several specialists and kept under observation by Dr. Ernest Reynolds in the Manchester Royal Infirmary, that these doctors are of opinion that Miss Carnall's case is one of undoubted lead poisoning, and that, notwithstanding that Miss Carnall is ill, destitute, and incapacitated from following her employment, the Pilkington Tile Company have refused to make her any payment, he will say if Miss Downing, who was taken ill at the same time as Miss Carnall, and is now receiving compensation for lead poisoning, was also refused a certificate by Dr. Holmes; whether, in view of these facts, he will consider if there has been a miscarriage of justice in Miss Carnall's case; and, if so, what action he purposes to take in the matter?

Mr. CHURCHILL

These cases were inquired into last year, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I then gave in this House on 2nd and 16th March. I have no information as to the subsequent history of these cases. The Compensation Act makes the decision of the referee final in a matter of this kind, and I have no power to take any action.