§ Mr. WILESasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the recent case of a woman sorter employed at the Post Office Savings Bank Department, West Kensington, being retired from the service through ill-health, suffering from consumption; whether a statement had been submitted from this officer's medical adviser to the effect that in all probability the disease was contracted through the handling of depositors' books, as such books were not sterilised before they were dealt with by the officer; and whether, in view of the possibility of consumption being spread amongst the staff in this way, he will consider the advisability of having all depositors' books sterilised before being dealt with?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware of the case and of the statement in question. I am advised by the Chief Medical Officer to the Post Office, who has investigated the case, that it is highly improbable that the tuberculosis was contracted in the manner suggested; and that there is no sufficient ground for recommending the sterilisation of deposit books on their receipt in the Savings Bank.