§ Mr. GAVAN-DUFFYasked the Under-Secretary for the Home Department if, having regard to the serious consequences accruing to the workers through the administration of the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1923, and to the difficult drafting of some of the Sections of the said Act, he will at once appoint a small Committee to reconsider the whole question, with the view of restoring to the injured workpeople the same measures of protection as they had under the Act of 1906?
Mr. DAVIESMy hon. Friend does not indicate what he has particularly in mind, but I would point out that the Act of 1923 which, as he will remember, was most exhaustively considered in Committee of this House has been barely two months in operation, and it would seem obviously premature at present to initiate any inquiry into its administration and working. Perhaps he will communicate with me in regard to any difficulties which have come to his notice.
§ Mr. GAVAN-DUFFYasked the Under-Secretary for the Home Department if he is aware of the fact that the decision given in the case of Hewitson v. the St. Helens Colliery Company, Limited, affects every class of worker exposed to similar accidents; and, having regard to the proportionately large number of miners concerned in this judgment, has he conferred with the miners' representatives and the Mines Department in regard to this urgent matter with the view of introducing immediate legislation, as suggested by Lord Shaw, and thereby restoring to the workers the benefits of the Act of 1906 of which they are now deprived?
Mr. DAVIESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second I am in communication with the Mines Department. The matter will be dealt with as expeditiously88W as possible, but as I pointed out in reply to my hon. Friend's previous question on the 14th instant, it will require to be carefully investigated and considered before any conclusion is reached.