HC Deb 16 February 1943 vol 386 cc1597-8W
Lieut.-Colonel Macnamara

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to cases of women workers being sent from home under transfer although they are physically and even mentally unfit; whether in all doubtful cases there is an official medical examination prior to transfer or whether medical certificates submitted by potential transferees are accepted at their face value; and whether the existing procedure of examination and transfer can be improved?

Mr. Bevin

Where workers allege that they are unfit for jobs in which the Employment Exchange proposes to place them, they are referred to an independent medical referee, unless they can produce satisfactory evidence from their own doctors. In addition, I have made arrangements that women called up to industry under the National Service Acts should be seen by a doctor, if the exchange has any doubt about their fitness, and I propose to apply these arrangements to other workers who are receiving National Service Officer directions or being transferred away from home. If my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind, I should be glad to have them investigated.