Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 3 May 1922.
I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere sympathy with and my support of my hon. Friends on the opposite side of the House in the Motion they have brought forward. I am one of those who believe that a good atmosphere can be preserved in industry if the right means are taken to create that atmosphere and to maintain it. I believe that the position of the working man, in his state of uncertainty regarding the future and regarding those whom he may leave behind if he be fatally injured, is one of the clouds which prevent a proper understanding between capital and labour and prevent a thoroughly efficient working of industries in a great many respects. I am fortunate enough to take a part in an industry which is remarkably free from either fatal or lesser accidents. I have found from experience that we are able to provide privately, through the companies which lay themselves out for this work, adequate protection against these risks. I cannot believe that any industry is not prepared to cover itself adequately against any reasonable risk which it might incur in this respect. I believe that some of the burdens from which industry is suffering can be lightened by the taking of such steps as we are discussing. I hope that the Home Secretary will see his way to indicate some measure of relief. We do not want the imposition of more burdens than it is reasonable for us to bear, but having regard to the present economic position of those who can only rely next year upon a pre-War rate of compensation, some addition ought to be made to it, at any rate for a time, in order to relieve the workers according to the necessities of the moment. I hope the Home Secretary will be able to tell the House of his intentions in this matter and that those intentions will be satisfactory to the Mover of the Resolution.