§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the improvements in workmen's compensation, and family and industrial injury allowances, as foreshadowed in the gracious Speech, will be matched by improvements in the Royal Warrants and other instruments governing war pensions and allowances, and whether this matter is under consideration.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, now that my noble friend has had the opportunity to study the Bill which the Minister of Pensions has just introduced in another place, he will see that the main changes proposed therein in respect of industrial injuries and workmen's compensation relate to matters which have no parallel in the War Pensions scheme. One or two small proposals follow, in respect of industrial injuries, existing features of the War Pensions scheme.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, nevertheless I can hardly believe that Her Majesty's Government would 346 introduce Bills which did not have in mind some improvement. May I ask that any such improvement be matched in the War Pensions field?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I think that is done. It is mainly the other way round—this Bill follows what has already been done in the War Pensions scheme; but there are one or two small matters of a minor nature which will be matched and which I am told can be done without any amendment to the Royal Warrant.