§ 66. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that under the war risks compensation scheme masters, officers, and seamen of the merchant service disabled as a result of the War have had their disability allowances substantially reduced on finding employment, or on being certified fit for light employment; whether he is aware of the fact that the Ministry of Pensions entirely disavows such a principle, and compensates ex-service men for the disability incurred whether the pensioners have obtained employment or not; and whether, in view of their services during the War, he will take steps in ensuring that the masters, officers, and seamen of the British merchant service shall be put on precisely the same footing in this matter as those engaged in the Navy and Army?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Viscount Wolmer)The War risks compensation scheme has to be administered in conjunction with the Workmen's Compensation Act, and the principle embodied in that Act, namely, that of granting compensation for loss of earning capacity, was incorporated in the compensation scheme when the scheme was framed in 1915. It is not proposed to make any alteration in that principle at this late date, and I may mention that while certain persons, as my hon. Friend points out, receive less under the compensation scheme than they would receive under the Royal Warrants administered by the Ministry of Pensions, in other cases a 2312 larger disablement allowance is paid than would be paid in a similar case by the Ministry of Pensions.
§ Mr. PETOI beg to give the Noble Lord notice that I propose to raise this question on the Vote to-day.