8. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary for Mines the extent to which men partially incapacitated by miners' nystagmus are provided with light work on the surface or underground, respectively, in the collieries of County Durham for the year ended September, 1937, or other convenient date?
§ Captain CrookshankThe latest available information, which relates to September, 1936, is contained in Table D, on page 48, of the report of the Home Office Departmental Committee on certain questions arising under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, which has just been published—Command Paper No. 5657.
§ Mr. LawsonIs anything to be done to give these men light work? Is the Minister not aware that even in the case of very serious accidents the men get practically only two shillings a week and that they have no prospect at all of work?
§ Captain CrookshankThat is not the question which I was asked.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIs not the Minister aware that the greatest tragedy in the mining industry is the person who has contracted nystagmus, and, in view of the fact that such persons are not reemployed by colliery companies owing to pressure from insurance companies, will he use his influence with the Home Secretary to get something done for this category of men?
§ Captain CrookshankEverybody recognises that this is one of the greatest calamities for the men working in the industry, but I have been asked only about collieries in County Durham.
§ Mr. WilliamsDoes not the Minister know that light work is not provided for these men, and will he use his influence with the Home Secretary to see that something is done?