§ Mr. ASTORasked the First Lord of Admiralty whether casual labourers, when incapacitated by accidents arising out of their employment in His Majesty's dockyards, are paid on the basis of their earnings during the previous twelve months; whether he is aware that this system produces hardship in cases where such labourers have been employed irregularly; and whether he will consider the desirability of paying such labourers at the rate of half the daily pay of which they were in receipt at the time when they were incapacitated?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe basis of compensation to casual labourers is that indicated by the hon. Member, and is in accord with the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, and of the scheme framed thereunder. In the event of any case of real hardship arising from the application of the rule, special consideration would be given to it.