§ MR. ROBSON (South Shields)To ask the Secretary of State for the Homo Department, whether, having regard to the pledges of the Government to deal by legislation with the question of compensation for injuries to seamen, they intend to introduce a Bill for that purpose during the present session of Parliament; and, if not, when they propose to do so.
§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that 103 lives were lost on British vessels in the month of February, 1905; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce a measure during the present session of Parliament to provide compensation for seamen injured on British ships, and for the dependents of seamen who are killed and drowned in the course of their employment.
(Answered by Mr. Bonar Law.) I will answer these two Questions together. The Government fully recognise the importance of this subject. They do not, however, think it possible to bring in during the present session a Bill for the general Amendment of the Compensation Act, and another Bill applying to seamen, especially, as the question as regards seamen is complicated by certain recommendations of a Departmental Committee (Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 2208 of 1904) which are of a far-reaching character.
† See (4) Debates, 1xxix., 800.† See (4) Debates, 1xxxi., 709.