asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the advisability of scheduling cardroom workers under the existing Workmen's Compensation Acts so that such workers incapacitated, either partially or totally, as a result of inhaling fibre dust, shall be entitled to compensation?

Yes, Sir, this matter has received my full and sympathetic consideration. There would be great difficulties in meeting the position by adding to the schedule of industrial diseases under the Workmen's Compensation Act, having regard in particular to the absence of any special clinical features which would enable the lung condition of the workman to be diagnosed as due to the dust; but I have written to the Employers' Federation urging them to consider some special scheme and suggesting that they should arrange for an early meeting of representatives of both sides to explore the problem further.

While the right hon. Gentleman is negotiating with employers will he again look into the possibility of including these sufferers within the Schedule of the Workmen's Compensation Act so that they may not have to rest, in the end, on any charitable fund set up by employers?

We are looking very carefully into all the aspects of the problem.