Mr. WORTHINGTON - EVANSasked how many official lecturers have been appointed to explain the National Insurance Act; how much, and by what authority, they are paid; and upon which Estimates their salaries will be borne?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe English Commission have compiled a list of forty-one persons upon whom they may call as occasion requires to give information and advice especially to those who will be engaged in the practical administration of the Act. Seventeen persons have been temporarily engaged by the Scottish Commission, twenty-five by the Irish Commission, and thirteen by the Welsh Commission. The scales of payment vary from £3 10s. to six guineas a week for whole time service, and the expenses will be shown in the Supplementary Estimates.
§ Mr. GOLDSMITHMay I ask whether some of these lecturers, who are paid out of public funds, also attended the conference which was called by the Liberal Insurance Committee?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo; I am informed that is not correct.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think they are appointed under the Act, which empowers the Insurance Commissioners to employ servants under the Act.
§ Mr. MASTERMANYes.
§ Viscount WOLMERWill the hon. Gentleman publish the names of all the gentlemen so appointed?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Gentlemen and Noble Lords do not give an opportunity for Ministers to reply.
§ Viscount WOLMERWill the hon. Gentleman answer my question?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have already said if the Noble Lord will put it on the Paper I will give an answer.
Mr. PEELIs it a fact that some of these official lecturers have never lectured on any subject whatever?
§ Viscount HELMSLEYHave any, and if so, how many, of these lecturers previously been lecturers on behalf of the Liberal party?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice ought to be given of details of that kind.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked how many meetings have been held and addressed by official lecturers from the National Insurance Commissioners, and what dates and places have been fixed for future meetings; and whether such meetings are open to the Press and the public?
§ Mr. MASTERMANPersons employed by the English Commission have addressed thirty-three conferences of officials and members of trade unions, various kinds of friendly societies, and women's societies likely to become, or to assist in the formation of, approved societies. About 100 engagements have been or are being arranged for the future on the same lines. I shall be glad to communicate places and dates to the hon. Member if he wishes for them. In Wales 58 conferences and lectures have been held, and about 66 are arranged for future dates. In Scotland the numbers are respectfully 124 and 130. In Ireland 142 and 80. The conferences have been arranged in England on the condition that they shall not be open to the 294 Press or to the public, and they have in each case been convened by the society or organisation concerned. I understand that some of those in the other countries have been public and some private. In addition to these conferences and lectures just referred to, four courses of lectures have been given in London to accredited representatives of organisations likely to be concerned in the administration of the Act.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSCan the hon. Gentleman throw future meetings and conferences in England open to the Press and the public, and if not, why not?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs far as the Insurance Commissioners are concerned they do not lay down any condition of privacy at all. It is the organisation which asks for the conference.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWill the hon. Gentleman take action at least to secure that the meetings held under the trade unions and friendly societies are kept to the members who have specially requested the conference?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat is the condition under which the meetings are held.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWDid I understand the hon. Gentleman correctly to say that no meetings had been held except at the express desire of the societies which had been addressed by these lecturers?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think that is true as far as the English Commission is concerned. Perhaps I had better make further inquiries.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIs it true as regards the United Kingdom? Have practically public meetings been held which have been paid for out of public money?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAddresses have been given both in Scotland and in Ireland which have not been limited to the organisations.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the statements made by Councillor Hamilton, one of the lecturers appointed by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners to explain the Insurance Act; whether the lecturer correctly interpreted his instructions when he said he was to refuse to argue any questions with his audiences and that his statements must be taken with a grain of salt; 295 and, if not, will the Secretary of State for Scotland tell the House what are the instructions given to these lecturers?
§ Mr. MASTERMANInstructions are issued to all the servants of the Commission that in giving information they must neither attempt interpretation of points in the Act on which the law is open to doubt, nor prejudge any decision which may subsequently be made under regulations of the Commission.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the hon. Gentleman ascertain whether the lecturer said this or whether he did not?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have no information on the point.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the hon. Gentleman endeavour to get the information?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf the hon. Gentleman wishes I will make inquiries.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs one of the lecturers to the Scottish Commissioners an ex-Unionist candidate?
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSDoes the hon. Gentleman agree with the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the success of Liberalism depends upon the atmosphere created by the lecturers?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe hon. Member is unusually inaccurate. I was referring not to the lecturers at all, and not only is that so, but the hon. Member knows it.