I move for leave to introduce the Railway (Existing Officers and Servants) Bill, 1926. The long title says it is "a Bill entitled an Act to make better provision for the compensation of officers and servants of railway companies who lose their employment or suffer other loss or hardship solely in consequence of the amalgamation and absorption of railway companies affected by or under the Railways Act, 1924, and for that purpose to amend the third schedule to that Act." This is rendered necessary by an omission which was made in the third schedule of the Railways Act, 1924, and it is further rendered necessary by certain decisions which have been given arising out of cases brought before the arbitrator under that schedule.
RAILWAY (EXISTING OFFICERS AND SERVANTS) BILL, 1926—FIRST STAGE.
I hope that when we come to read the Bill we shall see it conforms with the second line—"better provision for the compensation of officers."
Will this Bill include such cases as the case of Guard McLane, in which seven shillings per week was awarded? Under this Bill, will he be entitled to get fair pay?
This Bill is designed to make better provision for the compensation of railway servants, not provision for the better compensation of railway servants.
Leave granted to introduce the Bill.
Bill read a first time.
Second Stage ordered for 20th April.