HC Deb 17 December 1908 vol 198 cc2091-2
SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)

To ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the Departmental Committee on Post Office Life Insurance had no expert evidence from actuaries, and none of the industrial assurance companies or collecting friendly societies gave any evidence, and the Parliamentary Labour Party, although invited to give evidence, did not do so, he will, before any action is taken or recommended, make inquiries as to the effect which the conversion of the Post Office into an industrial assurance society is likely to have upon the earnings of the 80,000 men whose livelihood at present depends upon the commission which they earn in that business; and whether he has made any inquiries as to the average amount of the existing industrial policies issued by industrial assurance companies and collecting friendly societies.

(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The Report of Lord Farrar's Committee is under consideration. I fully recognise the importance of the questions involved in the relationship between the Post Office and the industrial assurance companies. I may add that an Act of Parliament would be necessary to give effect to several of the Committee's recommendations.