§ Mr. PIRIEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Lord Advocate has advised that trawl fishermen may be employés of owners of boats and so come under the provisions of the National Insurance Act, and that many line fishermen have been held to be co-adventurers and so are not compelled to insure, the benefits of the Workmen's Compensation Act can now be given to trawl fishermen who, although sharemen, are really employés of the owners of boats?
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§ Mr. McKENNAMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I have had this question under consideration in connection with the Bill of the hon. Member for Grimsby. I agree that there is a case for reviewing the provision in the Compensation Act which excludes share-fishermen from the benefits of the Act, so far at any rate as regards men who contribute only their services to the venture and are, not in the position of part-owners, but the matter presents special points of difficulty, for example, the manner in which the average weekly earnings are to be calculated, which will have to be provided for in any Bill on the subject. I am afraid I cannot hold out any prospect of the Government being able to deal with the matter at present.