HC Deb 25 June 1925 vol 185 cc1689-91
14. Mr. J. GUEST

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many workmen who are in receipt of partial compensation only, on the grounds that they are certified as fit for light work, are unemployed owing to the refusal of their previous employer, in whose service they incurred their disability, to find them light or suitable work; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation compelling an employer to provide such work for his own partially disabled men or otherwise to pay such compensation as was due for total disability?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have no statistics on the point, but I have no doubt great difficulty is often experienced at the present time by partially recovered workmen in obtaining light employment. So far as I am aware, however, this is due to the prevailing industrial conditions and not to any unwillingness on the part of the employers to assist the workmen. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for the Don Valley Division on the 2nd April last. Provision was made in Section 16 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, by which the partially recovered workman, who fails to obtain work as a consequence wholly or mainly of his injury, is entitled to a continuance of his compensation on the scale for total disablement. That, in my view, is as far as one can reasonably go.

Mr. GUEST

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the deplorable place of many of these men? Is he not also aware that in many places where new men are actually being set on these men are still being refused employment?

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as the result of the employers refusing to re-employ men, particularly those who have suffered from the disease known as miners' nystagmus, these men are not only deprived of compensation but of any chance of getting any other work?

Mr. RICHARDSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that where there is slackness at any of the collieries these men are the first to go?

Mr. LAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Act was originally based on the assumption that light work would be given to them?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I do not think that the question as to miners' nystagmus arises out of this question. In reply to the other question, I do think that if a miner fails to obtain work, wholly or mainly in consequence of his injury, he is entitled, though he is only partially injured, to a continuance of his compensation when his failure to obtain work is due to temporary disablement.

Mr. BATEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1923 his predecessor said, in reference to the Compensation Act, that these men, when partially unable to work, should have unemployment benefit; and have the Ministry stopped that unemployment benefit?

Mr. POTTS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the profits of the insurance companies in this matter are sufficient, not only to cover what is asked in this case, but to pay an increased amount?