HC Deb 15 May 1906 vol 157 cc374-5

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys provided by Parliament, of the Expenses of the Secretary of State, and of the remuneration and Expenses of Medical Referees and Arbitrators incurred under any Act of the present session to consolidate and amend the Law with respect to Compensation to Workmen for injuries suffered in the course of their employment, and of Compensation to Workmen employed by or under the Crown in pursuance of such Act."—(Mr. Secretary Gladstone.)

MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS (Sheffield Ecclesall)

asked what the expense would amount to.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE Leeds W.)

said he could not give at the present stage any estimate as to what the expenses likely to be incurred would be. A good deal turned upon what Parliament decided as to the proposals in the Bill. This Resolution was absolutely necessary, and the Government were simply adopting the ordinary course.

COLONEL LEGGE (St. George's Hanover Square)

said the action of the Government seemed somewhat premature. The Bill was now before the Standing Committee, only three of the seventeen clauses had as yet been dealt with, and it was quite impossible to say what would be the result of the discussion upstairs. Could not the Resolution wait until the Compensation Clauses of the Bill had been dealt with?

MR. GLADSTONE

We have taken the ordinary course, and it is of some advantage to do so as the Bill proposes to bring in postmen and others, and we may reach the definition clause at any time.

COLONEL LEGGE

I am quite satisfied.

MR. HARMOOD-BANNER (Liverpool, Everton)

Will the right hon. Gentlemen bring in soldiers and sailors under the Bill?

MR. GLADSTONE

That is a question of policy which cannot be discussed at this stage.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolution to be reported To-morrow.