§ 23. Mr. STEWARTasked whether any approved society is being specially formed for the purpose of insuring domestic maidservants under the National Insurance Act?
§ 75. Mr. FELLasked what steps have been taken towards the formation of a friendly society to be reserved exclusively for domestic servants so that they may enjoy the full benefit of their contributions under the National Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe first list of approved societies, which was laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, includes three societies concerned exclusively or primarily with the insurance of domestic servants, namely, the Domestic Workers' Union, in England, and the Scottish Domestic Servants' Association and Servants' Institution, in Scotland. In addition the application of a society, called the 508 Liverpool and District Women Domestic Servants' Insurance Society, is now being examined with a view to approval. I believe that all the friendly and collecting societies hitherto approved which take women members will receive amongst them domestic servants.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECan the hon. Gentleman tell me how the idea of these associations is to become known to the servants?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not know quite what the hon. Member means by the "idea of these associations."
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKETheir existence.
§ Mr. MASTERMANEvery step is taken to communicate that, but if the hon. Member can give me any further suggestions I shall be glad to communicate them to the Commissioners in order to get the facts of the societies brought before the people who are interested.
§ Mr. FELLIs there one society in England and two in Scotland, and can the hon. Gentleman recommend the society in England?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not give any opinion as to societies as to whether they are satisfactory or not. There is a society in England which is exclusively confined to domestic servants. In addition the large friendly societies which take women members will also take domestic servants I think.
§ Mr. FELLWith regard to the one which is exclusively reserved, is that a substantial society which can be recommended?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI could not attempt to make any differentiation between the different societies.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it proposed that the mistresses should themselves find out those societies for servants and become purveyors of those societies as in the—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member can put that question down.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCan the hon. Gentleman say whether any well-established friendly society has or proposes to 509 establish branches or sections dealing with domestic servants only?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat is an important question, and as soon as I get any information on the subject I shall be glad to give it to the House.