HC Deb 10 April 1941 vol 370 cc1683-4
32. Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Home Secretary whether the Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation has suspended its sittings for the duration of the war, or whether it is intended that it shall resume its work in the near future?

Mr. Peake

In accordance with the wish of the Government, as announced in the House on 30th January, 1940, the Royal Commission, which had suspended its proceedings at the outbreak of war, resumed its work, and held a number of sittings and took evidence from a number of witnesses, in the earlier part of last year. In the critical situation, however, which had developed in June last, the Commission decided, for various reasons, to suspend its meetings for the time being, and, after inquiry, I regret that I can hold out no prospect that the Commission will be able to resume its proceedings in the near future. The Government are fully alive to the importance of this question and the desirability of having plans ready in advance to deal with it as part of the reconstruction necessary after the war, and my right hon. Friend is accordingly in consultation on the matter with my right hon. Friend, the Minister without Portfolio, who is specially concerned with such problems.

Mr. Griffiths

Were not the sittings of the Commission suspended on the decision, not of the whole Commission but only a section of the Commission? Will the Government recall that Commission to examine these problems immediately?

Mr. Peake

No, Sir. The decision to suspend the sittings was a decision of the Commission itself, and I am informed that it was a unanimous decision. The reasons for the suspension were several.

Mr. Griffiths

Since the matter is now being referred to the Minister without Portfolio, will he be competent to recall the Commission?