HC Deb 29 June 1939 vol 349 cc622-4
74. Mr. Oliver

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department intends to offer evidence to the Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation on the special position of workmen who, by reason of having suffered from nystagmus or other industrial diseases are refused employment on those grounds, and although cured of the disease are rendered permanently unemployed unless they can obtain work in some other industry?

Mr. Peake

This point has already been mentioned in the Home Office evidence, and is more fully dealt with, so far as nystagmus is concerned, in the report of the Stewart Committee, to which the attention of the Commission has been drawn,

87 and 88. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he will invite the Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation to devote their early attention to a limited number of urgent questions and produce an interim report in order that action can be taken to deal with them pending the report on the big problem;

(2) whether he will introduce legislation on a limited number of urgent questions, such as an increase in the maximum amount of workmen's compensation, silicosis, etc., pending the report of the Royal Commission that is investigating the problem of workmen's compensation?

Mr. Peake

I cannot add anything to the answers already given on these points.

Mr. Smith

Would the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to consult the Prime Minister with a view to considering what steps can be taken to carry out the promise made by the Prime Minister with respect to this matter?

Mr. Peake

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, a private Member's Bill carrying out one of the main recommendations of the Stewart Committee was introduced last autumn by the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward), but it met with a good deal of opposition from hon. Members opposite.

Mr. Smith

That answer is just side-tracking the subject raised in this question. The Prime Minister gave an undertaking that he would be prepared to con- sider introducing legislation to deal with a limited number of the points raised in the question, and I am asking the hon. Gentleman to consult his right hon. Friend with a view to seeing what steps can be taken to implement the promise made by the Prime Minister?

Mr. Peake

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has frequently stated that it really is impossible to ask the Royal Commission to deal prematurely with the larger question. As far as smaller points are concerned, we retain the right to introduce legislation.

Mr. Arthur Greenwood

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that there are certain quite definite and specific problems which can be dealt with, apart from the larger question, and that these problems are creating much hardship and a good deal of feeling in the country; and would it not be possible, as has been done before in the case of Royal Commissions, to segregate these particular problems and ask the Royal Commission to give early attention to them with a view to legislation on the matter?

Mr. Peake

I do not think that I can usefully add anything to the answers that I have already given.