asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation at an early date to render it compulsory on all employers to insure against liability under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, and so to carry out the recommendation of the Holman Gregory Departmental Committee's Report (Cd. 816)?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I am in sympathy with the principle of compulsory insurance in workmen's compensation, and I should be glad if it were possible to give effect to it. Any detailed scheme, however, would require a large amount of time both for preparation and discussion, and I am afraid it is impossible for mo, in view of the pressure of the Sessional programme, to give any promise of early legislation.