§ 73. Mr. JOWETTasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the action of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company in with drawing the red retention card, releasing the holder from military service, from Fireman J. Hurst, of Horwich, who sustained a serious rupture whilst on duty two years ago and who, in consequence of his recent duties on coal-train engines, has again become incapacitated for work from the same cause, and is seeking compensation for his injury; and, if so, whether he will take immediate steps to prevent the railway company in question evading their liability to pay compensation by forcing him into the Army and throwing the liability on to the State?
Mr. ROBERTSI am making inquiry into the circumstances of the case referred to. I may, however, remind my hon. Friend that railway companies are authorised to issue exemption cards only to such of their employés as are indispensable to the railway service, and that it is open to 1274 any man who considers he has been improperly released to bring his case before the Committee on the Release of Railway-men for military service.