§ 33. Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that working men elected as members of insurance committees will suffer loss of wages when attending meetings of such committees, he will consider the desirability of enabling the committees to make good such loss?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe insurance committee can pay railway fares in counties for any members of the committee, upon the authorisation of the Insurance Commissioners. I am afraid that in this case, as in that of other similar public bodies, it would be impossible to arrange for payment for loss of work; but I hope that the committees will generally arrange times suitable for the attendance of working-men representatives.
§ Mr. WILKIEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in the case of working men who are living far apart, and who will suffer loss of wages when attending meetings, they could not be compensated in some way?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not know of any committee established at present under these conditions. Of course, the members of insurance committees are in the same position as guardians and county councillors. There could hardly be payment for loss of wages in the one case without introducing it in the others.
§ Mr. J. WARDWould it not be possible for a society whose representatives were on a committee to pay them?
§ Mr. MASTERMANCertainly, if they did it from private funds. I am not sure that they could pay them out of Government funds.