File A1/70. - William Thomas, checkweigher, Gadlys pit, 34 Pembroke Street, Aberdare,

He would like to receive a draft copy of the Employers' Liability Bill currently before the House of Commons. A general meeting is soon to be held on the question. A deputation from the various Permanent Funds waited upon Lord Salisbury asking him to use his influence to enable workmen to contract out of the bill. They did so on their own initiative, without the consent of the members. No public meeting had previously been convened to ascertain the opinions of the members, but resolutions have been passed in favour of the bill at meetings at the Rhondda and Aberdare and also at other mass meetings and conferences of colliery representatives. Deputations to a Cabinet Minister or Member of Parliament should previously have tested the opinion of their fellow workmen. There is much indignation at the two collieries to which the writer belongs. Unrepresentative deputations serve only to deceive Members of Parliament. D. A. Thomas is free to make use of this letter.