§ Sir HENRY CRAIKasked if the Government are prepared to make good any loss that may be incurred by those who follow the directions of the official and paid expositors of the National Insurance Act, and who find that the interpretations placed upon the Act by the Courts of Law do not agree with those of the official expositors?
§ Mr. MASTERMANInformation and advice given by the servants of the Insurance Commission is given for the assistance of the public who desire it, and to the best of their knowledge and belief. I see no reason to anticipate that any situation will arise of the nature contemplated by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Sir H. CRAIKCan the hon. Gentleman say whether public money is being spent solely with the object of leading those who listen to the catastrophe which generally follows the adoption of the advice of amateur, untrained legal advisers?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not think public money is being spent for any such purpose.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYDo I gather that these lecturers are not paid out of public money?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo; I was answering the question whether the money was spent with a view to causing a public catastrophe?
§ Sir H. CRAIKWill the hon. Gentleman undertake that the advice given by these expositors will always coincide with the decisions given by the Courts of Law?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think there is a further question on that subject.
§ Mr. W. PEELIs there any precedent for this sort of exposition?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI believe there are many, but I will find out.
§ Mr. CASSELWhat authority is there under the Act to spend public money in this way?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat I will answer later on.
§ Lord HUGH CECILWhat course does the Government propose to take supposing the expositors advise one way and the Courts decide another?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think we had better wait and see whether that question arises.