§ Mr. KEIR HARDIE (for Mr. Barnes)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he could now state the result of his inquiry into the outbreak of cow-pox at Vale Farm, Pinner Road, Sudbury, as a result of which four persons contracted the disease; and whether he can state the decision he has come to with regard to the advisability of extending the Workmen's Compensation Act to cover this and other diseases of a similar nature?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Secretary of State has communicated with the Local Government Board and the Board of Agriculture, and has received reports from which it appears that the outbreak was one of cow-pox. The effects, however, on the workmen, as described in the particulars which the hon. Member was good enough to send to him, seem to have been exaggerated. The Secretary of State understands that the elder Wigmore was off work three weeks, during which time he received half wages, that he did not go to a hospital, and that he is now recovered and that the young Wigmore was only slightly affected and off work for three days. The question of adding this disease to those included in the Workmen's Compensation Act is being considered in consultation with the other Departments, 202 and my hon. Friend has not yet been able to come to a decision in the matter.