§ 59. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the feeling that Admiralty employés who suffer accidents in the course of their duty do not receive as favourable treatment as if they were in a position to sue under the Workmen's Compensation Act; and whether in these circumstances he will, when there is dissatisfaction, allow the claimant to bring his case into the County Court?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe reply to both parts of the question is in the negative. I would remind the hon. Member that the Government scheme of compensation framed under the Workmen's Compensation Act is voluntarily accepted by an overwhelming majority of the employés concerned, and that any man has the right of withdrawing from the Government scheme at any time if he gives due notice in writing.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIf the Admiralty considers that its awards are just, what has it to fear from allowing an aggrieved person to bring a claim?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe Government's scheme is so devised as to avoid, among other things, the necessity of going to the Courts, and the scheme, on the whole, has been found very acceptable.
§ Mr. KELLYWill the hon. Gentleman compare the Government's scheme with the Compensation Act, and inform us of which is the better?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI have already said that in the opinion of the Government, the scheme is desirable and satisfactory as it stands.