HC Deb 10 July 1905 vol 149 cc101-2
MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that a Bill to amend the Workmen's Compensation Act has been repeatedly promised by the Government, he will give an early opportunity to complete the Second Reading debate in order that the Bill may be sent to a Standing Committee.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It would be quite vain for me to allocate time for the farther stages of this Bill unless I had some reasonable hope of passing it into law, but I can give no final Answer on the subject at present.

MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)

May I ask whether, having regard to the specific charges which have been brought on this subject against the Opposition in general and the Labour Members in particular, the right hon. Gentleman will take care that due notice is given of his intention to resume the debate on the Second Reading of this Bill so that answers may be given to those charges?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not aware that any charges have been made against the hon. Gentleman. Of course, I am always desirous of giving what notice I can of Bills, and I am sure the hon. Gentleman would be glad to see the measure pressed on under any circumstances.