§ MR. D. A. THOMASI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can say what schemes have been certified by the Registrar of Friendly Societies for contracting out of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1897, in the case of South Wales collieries; if he can give generally the terms of such schemes and the number of workmen who have contracted out; if there will be any considerable difficulty in giving a Return on the subject; and what opportunities were afforded the workmen of objecting to schemes before they were certified, and to what extent such opportunities were availed of?
§ MR. HANBURYSchemes for nearly all the principal collieries in South Wales have been certified by the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and his Report, which was presented to the House and ordered to be printed three weeks ago, contains as required by the Act, full particulars of their provisions. There will, accordingly, be no necessity for a special Return. The schemes give compensation equivalent to that of the Act at the cost of the employer, and other benefits at the cost of the workman. The number of workmen who have contracted out is not known. In each case the scheme was exhibited in the colliery for the perusal of the workmen, with notice that any workman might forward observations upon it to the Registrar. The workmen did not avail themselves of the opportunity.
§ MR. D. A. THOMASWere these schemes not exhibited during the great lockout, when there were few, if any, men employed at the collieries?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI think not, but I will inquire.