§ 25. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Home Secretary whether he has reached a decision as to amending the law which relates to compensation for silicosis; and whether he contemplates introducing amending legislation in the course of the present Session?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. Member does not indicate what amendment of the law he has in mind and I have no amending legislation on this subject in contemplation. If he is referring to the point he raised in the question he asked in this House on 15th February of last year in connection with the provisions as to the making of claims in the Refractories Industries Scheme, I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply I gave on that occasion. As I then pointed out, the provisions in question are on the whole very favourable to the workman, and the Departmental Committee which inquired into the working of the scheme did not recommend any alteration.
§ Mr. SMITHThe right hon. Gentleman promised last year to inquire into certain cases of real hardship to which I had drawn attention under this Act. Will he give an answer on that point?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIn writing?
§ Mr. SMITHNo; I raised the question last year, and the right hon. Gentleman said he would inquire into cases of real 1900 hardship, and give consideration to them. I should like to know if he has made up his mind on those cases.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am sorry. I have last year's OFFICIAL REPORT here, but I do not see that the hon. Member mentioned any particular cases. If he did so, I would most certainly have inquired into them.