§ Sir W. Jenkinsasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the danger of rats in wet collieries and that some underground workers have died from the results of rats transmitting Weil's disease to them, and that their dependants are not entitled to compensation; and will he cause inquiries to be made and have the disease scheduled at the earliest opportunity?
§ Mr. PeakeI am aware of the danger referred to and on the recommendation of the Departmental Committee on Compensation for Industrial Diseases an Order was made on the 1st February, 1940, extending the provisions of Section 43 of the Workmen's Compensation Act 1925 to "Infection by Leptospira ictero-hæmorrhagiœ." I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Order.