§ 33. Mr. JOHNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the law governing the awarding of compensation to victims of silicosis needs amending; that the provisions under the schemes of 1928 and 1931 are inadequate, and that large numbers of miners suffering from silicosis are deprived of compensation if they have not been working in the process within a period of three years; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation amending the present schemes?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)The Miners' Federation have made representations to me in favour of reviewing the arrangements in force under the present scheme and I have written to the Mining Association on the subject. On receipt of their reply I will consider whether any amendment of the scheme is necessary and I can assure the hon. Member that the matter will not be lost sight of.