Workmen's Compensation.

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 3 May 1922.

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Photo of Mr Thomas Shaw Mr Thomas Shaw , Preston

I do not expect the right hon. Gentleman to believe anything that is unpleasant. I merely stated a thing that is accepted as a fact by many men who ought to know. I want to suggest, in conclusion, that it is no use thinking that the present situation with regard to workmen's compensation can last for many years longer. The whole thing is unsound. If the theory were correct that the man and the employer share the burden, the principle would be wrong. The industry ought to carry the burden-Put all the safeguards you like against what is known as malingering. Do whatever you like to prevent malingering, but I suggest from my own experience that the danger has always been in case of accident, not that the worker' has remained at home too long, but that he has resumed work too soon. You can do better by generosity than by cheeseparing. I am appealing to the House and to employers outside that it is time to look upon this matter with an open mind and a generous heart, believing from the bottom of my heart that if they take the humane view, if they will face the matter from the point of view of flesh and blood, if they will try their best to let their action be as generous as possible, they will be rewarded a thousandfold by the feeling on the part of men and women that their employers are more than mere paymasters, and industry will benefit tremendously by the better feeling that will exist if the workmen and workwomen feel that their employers are meeting them in a generous, open-hearted way.