Liability to pay compensation

(1) Compensation shall be payable by the employer who last employed the workman during the period of twenty-four months referred to in section 23 of this Act, unless that employer proves that the disease was not contracted while the workman was in such employment. (2) The workman or his dependants, if so required, shall furnish to the employer from whom compensation is claimed such information as he or they may possess as to the names and addresses of all other employers who during the last twenty-four months employed the workman in the occupation to the nature of which the disease is due. (3) If the employer alleges that the disease was in fact contracted while the workman was in the employment of some other employer, and not while in his employment, he may join such other employer as a party to the proceedings in such manner as may be provided by regulations made under this Act and, if the allegation is proved, that other employer shall be the employer from whom the compensation is to be recovered. (4) If the disease is of such a nature as to be contracted by a gradual process, any other employers who during the said twenty-four months employed the workman in the occupation to the nature of which the disease is due shall be liable to make to the employer from whom compensation is recoverable such contributions as in default of agreement may be settled by the