§ Sir W. SUGDENasked the Home Secretary if he will consult the employers' and employés' associations of the great industries of the country before he introduces his Workmen's Compensation Bill, that full and proper protection be afforded the workers without unnecessary Departmental interference with the various industries concerned?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIn view of the conferences which my predecessor at the Home Office had with employers' and workers' representatives last summer, and of the very full Debates which have taken place in the House this Session on the subject, I do not think any further consultations are necessary at this stage. I am as anxious as the hon. Member can be to avoid any unnecessary Departmental interference, and I am confident that the Government's proposals will not be open to criticism in this respect.
§ Sir W. SUGDENasked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take upon the findings of the Industrial Fatigue Research Board that there is a relative importance of fatigue and speed of work as factors in accident incidences; and whether he will consult the masters' federation and trade unions of the cotton, woollen, and allied trades on these matters before he introduces his proposed Workmen's Compensation Bill?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe findings to which the hon. Member refers are provisional only; the Board points out in the last Annual Report that much further investigation will be necessary before any final conclusions can be reached, and it does not appear that any basis for practical action has yet been arrived at.