HC Deb 26 November 1941 vol 376 cc771-2W
Mr. Dobbie

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many employees on the Nigerian Railway have been injured and killed whilst on duty since January, 1937; in how many instances has compensation been paid; what was the total amount paid and the amount in each individual instance; and what was the nature of the injuries for which compensation was paid?

Mr. George Hall

From information collected in response to the similar Question asked by my hon. Friend on 2nd July, I can now state that the numbers of railway employees injured and killed on the Nigerian Railway during the financial years ending the 31st March, 1939, 1940 and 1941 were as follows1938–39.—Total cases 13, of which 5 were fatal, and 3 resulted in permanent disablement. No compensation has been paid in respect of the fatal cases. 1939–40.—Total cases 10, of which 2 were fatal and 3 resulted in permanent disablement. Compensation has been paid in respect of 1 fatal case. 1940–41.—Total cases 12, of which 5 were fatal and I resulted in permanent disablement. Compensation has been paid in respect of 1 fatal case.

In the 12 fatal cases, 7 of the men were run over by trains, I fell from a train in motion, I was burnt and 3 were the result of misadventures. Compensation has been paid in respect of all cases of permanent disability resulting in discharge from employment, but where the injured party continued in the railway service, the award of compensation has been deferred for consideration of an appropriate addition to the service gratuity payable on eventual retirement. Although the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance is not yet operative, its provisions have, since publication in May last, been adopted by the Nigerian Government and all questions of compensation for injury or death of railway servants are now dealt with in accordance with those provisions. Steps are being taken to obtain corresponding figures for the year 1937–38 and particulars of the amounts paid in compensation for the four years referred to. My Noble Friend is communicating with the Governor in regard to those cases where no compensation has been paid.

Mr. Dobbie

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether complete trade union recognition is in operation on the Nigerian Railway; and, if not, will be explain the basis on which wages and conditions of employment on the railway are decided?

Mr. Hall

The Nigeria Railway is a Government undertaking and the Nigeria Trade Unions Ordinance of 1939 provides for the compulsory registration of trade unions. Several unions of railway workers have already been registered under the Ordinance and thereby accorded Government recognition. One of these is the Railway Workers' Union, whose membership in August, 1940, was over 2,000 persons, and certain proposals for revised conditions of pay made by the railway management were recently discussed with the representatives of this body and another union.