HC Deb 31 May 1921 vol 142 cc817-8
32. Sir J. BUTCHER

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent case in the Court of Appeal in which Edward Reid, a quay foreman, of Shadwell, employed by the British and Irish Steam Packet Company, Limited, claimed compensation for injuries received in the course of his employment, and Lord Justice Scrutton, overruling the decision of the County Court Judge, held that Reid was not entitled to compensation on the ground that he was earning over £250 a year, but added that £250 now was a very different thing from £250 before the War; and whether he will consider the propriety of amending the Workmen's Compensation Act so as to meet cases of this character?

Mr. SHORTT

I have seen a report of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case mentioned. The recent Departmental Committee on Workmen's Compensation recommended that the income limit of £250 a year, which, I may observe, applies only to non-manual workers, should be raised to £350 so as to restore the pre-War position. This recommendation will be carefully considered when amending legislation is undertaken.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Will the limit be increased to meet this, in the case of manual work, in view of the decreased value of money?

Mr. SHORTT

This limit does not apply to manual workers.