DISABLED MEN (FACILITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT) BILL. (Hansard, 25 June 1919)

THE EARL OF JERSEY

My Lords, in asking your Lordships to give a Second Reading to this Bill I may, perhaps, say that it passed the House of Commons without discussion. It is based on the unanimous recommendations of a Departmental Committee which reported last year. The Departmental Committee was appointed in consequence of representations that difficulties were being experienced in arranging for the return to civil employment of disabled men discharged from His Majesty's Forces, owing to an apprehension amongst some employers that such men may be more liable to accidents, and that the cost of compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts may be increased, or, if the employer insures against his liability under the Acts, that the insurance company may raise the rates of premium.

The Committee considered that employers should be relieved by the State of additional charges, if any, of this kind which may be entailed by the employment of disabled sailors, soldiers, or airmen (the test of disability to be the receipt of a disability pension from the State), and recommended a scheme on the following lines. First, that arrangements be made between the Government and insurance companies under which, in return for certain guarantees against resulting loss, if any, the companies would undertake to insure these men (along with the other workmen, or alone if desired) at the same rates of premium as able-bodied men, and not to raise those rates in consequence of their employment. Secondly, the recommendation was that direct arrangements should be made by the Government with any large firm, if so desired, for a Government indemnity in respect of any compensation cost incurred in respect of these men above the average cost for the works in the case of other workmen. This alternative concession must be limited to large firms in whose case the figures as to compensation, etc., for the works are large enough to give fair averages They also recommended that arrangements be made with mutual indemnity societies on similar lines, but with modifications to suit the varying systems on which these societies conduct their business. It has so far been found that an arrangement on the same 1064 principles as either the first or second recommendation will be suitable in each case.

I would point out that, whatever the charge may be, it will be a constantly decreasing charge as these men will not be for all time a charge on the State. I do not, however, think that any such consideration will weigh with your Lordships in, as I hope, consenting to grant a Second Reading to this Bill, as we all feel that we owe it to these men to do all that lies in our power to enable them to return to their old employment, or some other congenial work, and that they should not suffer any further disability as the result of the sacrifices they have already made on our behalf.