33. Miss Wardasked the Home Secretary what action has been taken by his Department, in view of the fact that the Secretary for Mines has implemented the recommendations contained in the report on workmen's compensation relating to miners' nystagmus so far as his Department is concerned?
§ Sir S. HoareThe recommendations affecting my Department cannot be implemented without legislation. I understand that they have been discussed among representatives of employers and workpeople in the industry, and I am asking both sides to let me have their considered views on the question of legislating to give effect to the Committee's proposals.
Miss WardWhen the information is available can we have an assurance that legislation will be introduced?
§ Sir S. HoareObviously I cannot give any assurance about next session.
§ 37. Mr. Gallacherasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a widow in Fulham who lost her claim for compensation for the death of her husband owing to the clause that limits the period within which a claim can be lodged against a local authority to six months; and, in view of this and similar cases, does he propose to do anything to amend the law in this respect?
§ Sir S. HoareI have seen newspaper reports of this case. I gather it involves questions as to the relationship between damages and workmen's compensation which will come within the scope of the Royal Commission, and the question of an amendment of the law on this matter must, I think, be deferred for the present.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the urgency of this question, would not the Minister consider bringing in some emergency legislation to remove this limitation? Is he aware that one of my own constituents who was in a sad plight wrote to the Lord Advocate and that the Lord Advocate suggested it was necessary that legislation of this kind should be introduced? Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Lord Advocate with a view to removing this limitation?
§ Sir S. HoareCertainly, I will consult with the Lord Advocate, but my impression is that we cannot take this issue out of the issues to be considered by the Royal Commission.
§ Mr. MacquistenWhy not repeal the Public Authorities Protection Act, which has enabled public authorities to defraud innumerable people, and leave them to the ordinary law?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Minister has answered the question.