HC Deb 02 April 1936 vol 310 cc2114-5
36. Mr. R. J. TAYLOR

asked the Home Secretary whether the Departmental Committee now considering workmen's compensation will have under consideration the inadequacy of the sum of £15 paid in cases of death from accident where no dependency exists?

Mr. LLOYD

The answer is in the negative. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the terms of reference of the committee from which he will see that this question lies outside the scope of their inquiry.

Mr. TAYLOR

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a pit pony which was killed in a pit recently was valued at £20?

44. Mr. CASSELLS

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, a large industrial area, there is only one medical referee at present holding an appointment under the Workmen's Compensation Acts who repeatedly examines claimants for workmen's compensation on behalf of employers, and that on several occasions the said medical referee has given sworn evidence for the employers in Falkirk sheriff court; and if he will consider whether this gentleman is in a position to act as an impartial referee between workman and employer?

Mr. LLOYD

There is only one medical referee specially attached to the Falkirk sheriff court, but there are other referees holding appointment in the sheriffdom and living at no great distance from Falkirk upon whom the sheriff may call if the usual referee is not available. My right hon. Friend has received no complaint of unfairness on the part of the referee in question and has no information to show that he is not in a position to act with impartiality, but if the hon. Member will furnish particulars, they will be considered.

Mr. CASSELLS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the referee in question who holds a commission in connection with the Sheriff Court at Falkirk is the only individual to whom medical questions can be referred in that jurisdiction; and that on several occasions when he has given sworn testimony in that Court the presiding judge has referred the matter to an outside medical referee, and the gentleman has been contradicted?

Mr. LLOYD

I am not aware of those circumstances, but I shall be glad to receive any information that the hon. Gentleman has.

Mr. McGOVERN

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the grave dissatisfaction at the contrary decisions that are given in many of these cases by medical referees in Scotland, and that attention has frequently been drawn to this point?