Compensation Claim (George L Morgan)

19.

Mr. MARKHAM
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what grounds it has been decided that George Lemuel Morgan, of 94, Skinner Street, Chatham, is ineligible for compensation for disability due to the contraction of tuberculosis whilst working in Chatham Dockyard?

Mr. ALEXANDER
This man accepted the Government Scheme of Compensation framed under the Workmen's Compensation Act, and his claim to compensation was a matter for consideration by the Treasury in whom is vested the administration of the scheme. On the evidence submitted the Treasury were unable to regard the pulmonary tuberculosis in respect of which his claim arose as a result of personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment or of an industrial disease scheduled under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and were therefore unable to award compensation to him.

Mr. MARKHAM
Does not the First Lord think that this is a clear case for an ex gratia payment on humanitarian lines?

Mr. ALEXANDER
That matter does not rest at all with me or my Department. The question ought to be addressed to the Treasury.