§ Considered in Committee.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpoolmoved: —
That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, of any expenses of and relating to arbitration which may become payable under any Act of the present Session to amend the law with respect to compensation to workmen for accidental injuries suffered in the course of their employment, and of any compensation that may become payable in respect of accidents to workmen employed by or under the Crown in pursuance of such Act.
§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)said the terms of the Resolution as now submitted cleared up all doubts previously expressed as to whether or not it was sufficiently wide to cover reasonable Amendments on the question of the costs of arbitration and medical officers. The Homo Secretary, on the introduction of the Bill, was understood to say that the costs were to be paid by the public. When the Bill was published it was found that the promise was not kept. Since then the Government had undertaken to widen the words of the Bill, and the words before them were wide enough. The Resolution seemed to be satisfactory, and the words used all that could reasonably be asked for.
§ *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYonly wished to say he could not be held to have given an undertaking with reference to the expenses of the medical officers employed. As regarded the expenses of the arbitrators, he stated that these would be paid by the State, and that when the County Court Judge acted as arbitrator there should be no fees paid in respect of his services.
§ Resolution agreed to; to be reported To-morrow.