§ 5. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the hardship caused to many seamen by the non-extension of the Workmen's Compensation Act to a seaman who suffers from a malignant tropical disease, contracted in the service of the ship, in the same way as it is extended to a seaman disabled by an accident, in order that he may receive compensation; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to allow some extension of the Act to such cases?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)I have received no representations on this subject except from the hon. and gallant Member, it would not be possible to treat seamen 673 differently from other classes of workers in this respect, and it would be necessary, in order to give effect to the suggestion, to extend the Act to all cases of illness contracted as a result of employment. I do not, however, regard such an extension as practicable or desirable, and I find that the Holman Gregory Committee reported strongly against it.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWould the right hon. Gentleman initiate inquiries with the Board of Trade and his own officers and look into this matter, in view of the number of people affected?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have no knowledge of the number affected, but I will communicate with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.