HC Deb 02 June 1942 vol 380 cc609-10

(1) Section four of the principal Act shall apply to such salvage workers as are specified in subsection (2) of this section; and for the purposes of the said section four such a salvage worker shall be deemed to have sustained an injury, or to have been detained, by reason of his service if he sustained the injury, or if the capture in consequence of which the detention occurs was effected:

  1. (a) while he was engaged in salvage operations taking place either at sea or in any tidal water or harbour outside the British Islands;
  2. (b) while he was on leave at a place outside the British Islands during the carrying on of such salvage operations in which he was engaged;
  3. (c) while he was at any place, except on land in the British Islands, in the course of proceeding to or returning from engagement in such salvage operations;
  4. (d) while he was waiting at any place outside the British Islands to proceed or return as aforesaid, whether the delay was due to sickness or to any other cause outside his control.

(2) The salvage workers hereinbefore referred to are any person, other than a member of His Majesty's naval forces, who, not being the master or a member of the crew of a ship, is regularly employed in salvage operations in or from the British Islands.

(3) The cases in which a scheme made under subsection (1) of section six of the principal Act may provide for compensation to persons to whom section four of that Act applies as salvage workers for war damage to their effects are where the damage occurred in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (a), paragraph (b), paragraph (c), or paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of this section, and paragraph (b) of the said subsection (1) of section six shall be construed accordingly.

(4) In relation to such a salvage worker as is mentioned in subsection (2) of this section, or to the master or a member of the crew of a ship regularly employed, or chartered for the purpose of being employed, in salvage operations, the reference in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section one of this Act to measures taken for salvage purposes shall not apply.—[Sit W. Womersley.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Sir W. Womersley

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

I think there will be no opposition to the inclusion of salvage workers under the Bill. Everyone will agree that the case put up on behalf of the inclusion of these men, in the same way as merchant seamen, was unanswerable. This Clause gives them the right to compensation under exactly the same conditions. I am told that those who represent that class of worker are very pleased that we have been able to include them.

Petty Officer Herbert

I want to get the thing clear. May I take it that pensions will be payable to salvage workers, in this river, for example, wherever the tide flows? I am wondering whether I can get the question of the tugs in the area of Southend dealt with, too.

Sir W. Womersley

Tugs in the Southend area are included.

Petty Officer Herbert

Where does my right hon. Friend find that stated? Southend is actually within the seaward limit.

Sir W. Womersley

I can give my hon. and gallant Friend that assurance.

Petty Officer Herbert

I am very glad to have that.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.