§ 55. Mr. Macquistenasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Croydon Corporation have resolved to ask Parliament for relief from the provisions of the Public Authorities Protection Act; and will he take steps to amend the general law in this sense?
§ Mr. ElliotI assume that my hon. and learned Friend is referring to the Bill which the corporation have deposited to enable them to make compensation payments in respect of certain typhoid cases, notwithstanding that the statutory period for action under the Public Authorities Protection Act, 1893, has now elapsed. 594 As regards the second part of the question, an amendment of the 1893 Act is incorporated in the Limitation Bill now before Parliament.
§ Mr. MacquistenDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise how honest it is for the Corporation of Croydon to refuse to avail themselves of this dishonest plea which has been imposed upon them by Parliament; and is he also aware that the period for making a claim under the new Bill is only extended for another six months, and how equally dishonest and dishonourable it is for a public authority to say ''We have done wrong but as that was a year ago we can get out of it"? Can he not get this wrongful plea abolished so that all public authorities may be as honest as Croydon?