HC Deb 04 June 1942 vol 380 cc795-6
16. Mr. T. Henderson (for Mr. Dobbie)

asked the Home Secretary what treatment fire-watchers are entitled to in cases where they have contracted a contagious disease while undertaking fire-watching duties; can they obtain treatment allowances and treatment from the Ministry of Pensions as suffering from War Service Injuries, or are they eligible for full wages or compensation when they are watching on the premises of their employers, or are they only entitled to Health Insurance benefit?

Mr. H. Morrison

If my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions were satisfied that fire guards on business premises to which the Order has been applied or who are members of the local authority's fire guard had contracted a contagious disease as the result of their duties, they would be entitled to a War Service Injury allowance and to a supplementary allowance in respect of loss of wages. They would also be eligible for the free treatment in hospital and by medical practitioners provided under the Emergency Medical Services Scheme for War Service Injuries.