§ 39. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what reason there is for the difference in treatment as regards compensation between dockyardsmen who are injured abroad on the one hand and seamen and crews of aircraft on the other; and whether, in view of the fact that seamen and crews of aircraft who are injured abroad come under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, he will see that equally favourable treatment in terms of compensation is given to dockyardsmen injured abroad?
§ Captain MARGESSON (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. As was explained in the reply to the hon. Member of 19th December last, the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, does not apply to workmen serving abroad with the special exception of merchant seamen and civilian crews of aircraft. Section 33 of the Act provides that it shall not apply to persons in the Naval or Military or Air service of the Crown, but otherwise shall apply to workmen employed by or under the Crown to whom the Act would apply if the employer were a private person. Consequently it is not possible to bring dockyardsmen or other workmen employed by or under the Crown while serving abroad under the Workmen's Compensation Act or any scheme framed thereunder. They are however dealt with, as has already been explained, under the Warrant framed under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act, 1887.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the hon. and gallant Member draw the attention of his right hon. Friend to the fact that I am aware that the difference does exist and that it is about time it was remedied? There is no justification for it.