§ 8. Mr. BOOTHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that eight directors and chief officers of insurance companies and collecting societies have been appointed to the Advisory Committee under the National Insurance Act, Part I., and that only one representative has been selected from the industrial insurance workers; whether the National Combined Staffs Insurance Committee, a federation of insurance workers representing over 12,000 men, has asked for 10 representation on the Advisory Committee; and what steps will he take to secure the co-operation of the insurance workers included in this organisation?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton on 15th May. The eight members of the Joint Advisory Committee referred to were appointed not in their capacity of employers of agents and collectors, but as persons responsible for the management of societies which will include large numbers of insured persons and therefore will possess special knowledge required by the Advisory Committee. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. Industrial workers will have full opportunity of presenting any information or advice through the spokesman referred to, or by interviews or correspondence with the Commissioners, and will not be prejudiced by not having a number of direct representatives on the Advisory Committee.