HC Deb 22 June 1938 vol 337 cc1064-6
45. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Prime Minister whether he will set up a Royal Commission to investigate the Workmen's Compensation Acts and the effect of accidents and industrial diseases on the lives of the people?

The Prime Minister

The Government have had under careful consideration the question of the action to be taken in regard to workmen's compensation. As the House will recollect, proposals for alterations in the present system—some of them of a far-reaching character—have been debated in this House on several occasions during the last few years, and while there has been great divergence of opinion on the merits of the particular proposals, it has been generally recognised that there is a strong case for review of various provisions of the existing Acts in the light of modern ideas and conditions. The Government have considered the feasibility of themselves formulating proposals on the basis of existing information but they have come to the conclusion, having regard to the magnitude and complexity of the questions at issue, that it would be impossible to frame any satisfactory legislation without an up-to-date inquiry of a formal and comprehensive character. Certain special problems of workmen's compensation have been, or are, the subject of investigation by Departmental Committees, but since the Holman Gregory Committee reported 18 years ago, there has been no general inquiry into the working of the Acts. The Government have accordingly decided to recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission with wide terms of reference which will enable it to inquire generally in to the working of the present system and give authoritative advice as to any changes which may be desirable. I may add that it is contemplated that the Commission should be empowered to consider, in relation to workmen's compensation, proposals such as have recently been brought forward in this House on several occasions, for modification of the position in regard to the employer's liability at common law.

Mr. T. Smith

Will the Prime Minister see that when this Royal Commission is set up and starts its inquiries, it takes into account the workmen's compensation law in some of our Dominions, which is a long way ahead of anything that we have in this country?

The Prime Minister

I have no doubt that the Royal Commission will have those provisions in front of them.

Mr. Shinwell

As the Royal Commission may take a long time before it publishes a report on this matter, will the Prime Minister consider asking such Commission, when it is set up, to consider the publication of an interim report upon which legislation may be introduced?

The Prime Minister

I will consider that, but I am not sure that the information in our possession would be such as to justify our asking the Commission to do that. I certainly will consider the matter.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the Prime Minister consider asking such a Royal Commission to consider special aspects of the workmen's compensation law?

The Prime Minister

I think it is obvious that, if we set up a Royal Commission, it would not be proper to introduce any legislation which affected the general system until we have had its report. I should not consider, on the other hand, that we should be debarred from introducing legislation dealing with particular aspects of the question in the meantime.

Mr. Robert Gibson

When the Prime Minister says that the position of the employers' liability at common law will also be included in the consideration of the Commission, does he mean by that that the doctrine of common employment will be considered?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. E. Smith

When the Prime Minister is considering the personnel of the Royal Commission, will he hear in mind the need for people who have had years of workshop experience being represented on the Commission, and that it should not be outweighed with people of the legal profession?

The Prime Minister

I hope that both employers and employed will be suitably represented on the Commission.