73. Mr. Jenkinsasked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the strong public feeling in the country against such a large number of injured industrial 1904 workers being obliged to have recourse to public assistance owing to the inadequate rates of workmen's compensation, he will advise the Government to introduce the necessary legislation this Session to correct this injustice?
§ 74. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Home Secretary whether in view of the close Vote on Wednesday, 8th February, on the Motion advocating an immediate increase in the amounts payable in respect of workmen's compensation, His Majesty's Government will take action to give legislative effect to such proposals without waiting for the report of the Royal Commission?
§ 82. Mr. Dunnasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that between 1927 and 1937, 2,001,397 miners suffered injuries or disease in the mining industry for which £31,679,505 was paid by way of compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and that in those years 11,050 men and boys were killed in mining operations, whilst during 1936–37, and six months in 1938, profits were made in the mining industry amounting to £30,291,962; and, in view of the recent expressed opinion of this House, will he undertake to introduce new workmen's compensation legislation forthwith?
§ Sir S. HoareHis Majesty's Government fully appreciate the importance and urgency of this question, but they remain of opinion that satisfactory legislation on the subject cannot be formulated without the assistance of a report from the Royal Commission which has been appointed for the express purpose of giving authoritative advice.
Mr. JenkinsDo I gather from that reply that it is the decision of the Government that no steps shall be taken to remove this very large number of injured workpeople out of the Poor Law until we receive the report of the Royal Commission?
§ Sir S. HoareI am afraid that I cannot add anything to the answer that I have given.
§ Mr. A. HendersonMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not consider the closeness of the Vote on the Motion last week as evidence of the general desire of the House that His 1905 Majesty's Government should take action without waiting for the findings of the Royal Commission?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir. We have made the position clear time after time, and we feel that the bigger issues involved in the question of workmen's compensation must await the report of the Commission. It may well be that the Commission may make an interim report on certain subjects.
Mr. JenkinsWill the right hon. Gentleman recommend to the Prime Minister the need for taking such steps as are necessary to get an interim report submitted on the question of benefits at the earliest possible date?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir. I cannot give an undertaking of that kind. The Royal Commission must control its own procedure. I feel sure that they are aware of the urgency of many of these questions.
§ Mr. AttleeIs it possible to ask the right hon. Gentleman to make it known to the Royal Commission that the Government would be glad to have an interim report on this particular matter?
§ Sir S. HoareI feel sure that the number of questions which have been asked on this subject will have made it plain to the Royal Commission that we regard many of these questions as very urgent.
§ Mr. David GrenfellWill not the Government, with the good will of the House—and I am sure the House would give the good will—confine themselves to this narrow point of increasing the benefit to people on compensation, having regard to the precedents of 1917 and 1919 and to the fact that there is no technical difficulty in the way; and will he not consult the House, because I am sure the House is disposed to give the power to the Government to do this?
Sir St. HoareNo, Sir, I am afraid it is impossible to isolate a question of this kind from the large number of other questions connected with workmen's compensation.