§ 58. Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that in the case of a joiner in His Majesty's Dockyard who has lost his right eye, as the result of an accident in the yard, his earning capacity is now assessed as slightly impaired only and the pension granted is 8s. 5d. per week; if he can say who finally determines and assesses the questioned earning capacity; and if he will have the matter reconsidered?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMPresumably my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the case of a hired joiner who sustained detachment of the retina of his right eye as a result of an accident during his employment in His Majesty's Dockyard on the 27th November, 1925, and who, after return to full duty in December, was finally discharged from the Service on 29th January, 1926, at the age of 62 on account of reduction of staff.
The question of determining the impairment of earning capacity as a result of the injury in this case is one for the Treasury under the Government scheme of compensation framed under the Workmen's Compensation Acts.
32 The award has already been reviewed on the man's appeal, but any satisfactory fresh evidence which he may be able to adduce to show that his earning capacity is, in fact, more than "slightly impaired" in the open labour market solely as a result of the accident would receive due consideration.
§ Sir B. FALLEDoes the hon. and gallant Member seriously suggest that t he loss of one eye, and that the right eye, does not seriously damage his capacity for work to a much greater degree than 8s. 5d. a week?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMMy hon. Friend must know that it is not for us, but the medical officers acting for the Treasury, to decide that matter.
§ Mr. KELLYHave the Admiralty considered whether they would allow these men to appeal to the Law Courts, in view of the unsatisfactory decisions of the Treasury in regard to compensation?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI must have notice of that question.