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are not covered by the Workmen's Compensation Act, although certain
other diseases which may be incurred in industrial processes are so
covered by reason of their inclusion in the third Schedule, under the
provisions of Section 8 of the Act. Sub-section 6 of Section 8 empowers
the Secretary of State to make orders for extending the provisions of the
Section to other diseases and injuries due to the nature of any employment
specified in the order, not being injuries by accident. It was
considered the inclusion of dangerous infectious diseases would enable
insurances to be effected without material increase of premium.
The Committee were of opinion it is desirable the Workmen's
Compensation Act should be made to apply to dangerous infectious
diseases contracted in the course of employment in such cases, and
recommended the Council—That the Secretary of State for the Home
Department be urged to make an order for inclusion in the Third Schedule
of the Workmen's Compensation Act, of infectious diseases notifiable
under any Statute or Order, in the cases of persons employed in removal
of infectious patients, disinfection of premises, clothing and effects, in
connection with such infectious diseases, or in attendance at Isolation
Hospitals.
A communication was received from the Secretary of State for the
Home Department, with reference to the resolution of the Council urging
the extension of the Third Schedule of the VVorkmen's Compensation Act
to infectious diseases contracted by persons employed in connection with
Isolation Hospitals or in disinfection. The Home Secretary stated that
the matter had been considered by the Departmental Committee on
Compensation for Industrial Diseases, and they expressed the opinion
that neither the wording of the Act, nor the Third Schedule in its present
form, nor the discussion of the Bill in Parliament, give any indication that
our legislation on Workmen's Compensation contemplates cases of
ordinary illnesses contracted by chance through exposure to infection
while in an employer's service. The Home Secretary endorsed the opinion
of the Departmental Committee.
Errors in Diagnosis.
In giving the above numbers of notifications, no deductions have
been made for the following cases, which it will be seen developed other
diseases either shortly after admission or after being in the hospital some
time, whilst the list also shows that some patients removed to the Metropolitan
Asylums Board's hospitals, after being detained in those institutions
some days, were returned home certified as not suffering from the
complaint or any other notifiable disease.