§ 17. Mr. Daggarasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, under the Personal Injuries (Civilian) Act, 1941, a Civil Defence volunteer who sustains a physical injury arising out of and in the course of the performance of his duties does, in the event of such incapacity lasting three days, also suffer in some instances a loss in wages of 30s., whereas, if he was compelled to remain idle for seven days his compensation would be £3 10s.; and as this is due to no compensation being paid for any period less than seven days will he take steps to provide for the payment of compensation on a basis similar to that of the Workmen's Compensation Act?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonUnder arrangements already in force, part-time volunteers enrolled as members of a local authority's Civil Defence services may be compensated for actual loss of earnings by an amount which, together with the allowance paid under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, does not exceed the basic Civil Defence rate of pay. An injury allowance under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme is not payable unless incapacity for work lasts for not less than seven consecutive days. Where the period of incapacity was less than seven consecutive days and the fact of injury arising out of the performance of authorised Civil Defence duty was established, I should be prepared to authorise payment of compensation on the principle stated above.