§ 22. Mr. FREDERICK MARTINasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is 695 aware that in the opinion of many employers of labour an undue risk attaches to the employment of disabled ex-service men in respect of their supposed excessive liability to accident; and, seeing that this opinion constitutes a barrier against the employment of such men, will he consider the advisability of devising a scheme by which the employers' liability risk will be assumed by the Ministry of Pensions in respect of all disabled ex-service men employed by private firms?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Bridge-man)I have been asked to reply. This question was investigated by the Departmental Committee on Compensation for Disabled Sailors and Soldiers in 1918, In accordance with the Committee's recommendations, the Home Office obtained powers under the Disabled Men (Facilities for Employment.) Act, 1919, to make arrangements under which employers would be indemnified against any additional compensation risk attributable to the employment of disabled men. Under these powers agreements have been entered into with a number of insurance companies and mutual indemnity associations, the effect of which is that the companies and associations undertake to insure disabled men at the same rate as ordinary workers in return for an undertaking from the Government to safeguard them against any consequent loss. Further, direct arrangements have been made with certain large employers of labour who carry their own risk to indemnify them against any additional liability due to employment of disabled men. I am sending the hon. Member a pamphlet giving particulars of the Government scheme.