§ MR. BRUCEasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether the Employers' Liability Act is intended to apply to persons in the employment of the Government, such as the artizans in Her Majesty's Dockyards; and, if not, what is the reason for their being excluded from the benefits of the measure?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir John HOLKER)Sir, the Employers' Liability Bill is not intended to extend to the Crown. The reason is this: By law, Her Majesty is not liable for the negligent acts of her servants, either to persons who are in her employ, or to those who are not. This being so, if the provisions of the Bill were to be made applicable to the Crown, the 11 Legislature would be creating an exception, instead of endeavouring to remove one. I may add that I believe in all cases of accidents happening in the Dockyards and similar works the sufferers are relieved and compensated for the injuries sustained by them, although Her Majesty is under no legal obligation to give such relief, or pay such compensation.