HC Deb 22 February 1939 vol 344 cc378-9
73. Sir John Haslam

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce a Measure granting compensation to those persons proved to be suffering from diseases caused by excessive dust in cotton mills, particularly card-room workers?

Mr. G. Lloyd

The Report of the Departmental Committee on this subject has only just been published, and I would ask my hon. Friend to allow me to defer making a statement until those concerned have been given time to consider it.

Sir J. Haslam

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that we have been agitating for this for three years; that these people are suffering untold agony and that the matter is very urgent indeed?

Mr. T. Smith

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is possible to deal with this matter by extending the schedule of industrial diseases rather than by legislation?

Mr. G. Lloyd

I could not say that, but there is an actual scheme in the report.