§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ 3.58 p.m.
§ Mr. John Cronin (Loughborough)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
The Bill is to cure a mischief which is causing some trouble to employees. At present, if an employee suffers at work some injury due to defective equipment he cannot take action for damages against his employer. He can seek damages againts the supplier, but that is very difficult, for the latter may have gone to foreign parts or he may have died, or he may be bankrupt or in liquidation. All this does cause considerable injustice to a certain proportion of workmen. This Bill would remedy that mischief without seriously affecting employers. I hope it may have a Second Reading.
§ 3.59 p.m.
§ Sir Ronald Russell (Wembley, South)There may, of course, be some valuable ideas in this Bill, but I do not think it should be given a Second Reading without adequate debate, and so I think it should be opposed. I know the hon. Gentleman has got some ideas which may be well worth while, and is seeking to do some good things, but I am not sure about the terms of the Bill, and I think 2008 they ought to be discussed thoroughly before the House proceeds to give it a Second Reading. It should be thoroughly debated here and eventually in Committee.
§ Sir Douglas Glover (Ormskirk)I agree that, although the Bill is probably very good, the House would be less than worthy of its responsibilities—
§ It being Four o'clock, the debate stood adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed upon Friday next.