HC Deb 21 April 1902 vol 106 cc803-4
CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been directed to a notice issued on Wednesday last to the workmen employed at the West India Docks Naval Store Depôt, to the effect that unless they subject themselves to re-vaccination they will be discharged on Saturday week; and seeing that a number of these men are only temporarily employed by the Government and consequently not entitled to compensation, whether in the event of vaccination incapacitating them for work, he will consider the advisability of granting compensation to such men as comply with the order.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.

No such notice as that referred to by the hon. Member has been issued. The men referred to in the Question, who are in the temporary employment of the Government only, were informed that it was desirable they should take advantage of the gratuitous vaccination which was offered, and over seventy of them have done so. The Admiralty cannot undertake to grant compensation; to such of the men as may be incapacitated through taking this necessary precaution, but permission has been given to place any men who are disabled, on light work as far as possible, so that they may not lose pay.