§ 73. Mr. FELLasked what arrangements are being made under the National Insurance Act to provide medical benefits for the thousands of men employed on the fishing boats engaged in the spring and summer fishing each year in the seas surrounding the Orkney and Shetland Islands; if the hospital at Lerwick is to be extended and subsidised out of the insurance funds; and if the appliances necessary for accidents can be provided there out of the large funds which will be paid under the Act by the fishermen and their employers?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe whole question of the administration of medical benefit in the Highlands and Islands is now being investigated by a Departmental Committee. I am unable to make any announcement as to the details of the arrangements in these districts in anticipation of their report which will, I hope, be issued at an early date.
§ Mr. FELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that subscriptions are being asked for supplying appliances to these hospitals while these men are finding this large sum of money?
§ Mr. MASTERMANFrom voluntary sources?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI know nothing about it.
81. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Lord Advocate if the Court of Session have decided that share fishermen are joint adventurers in a fishing venture; if so, if that decision was before him when he recently gave a contrary opinion on the question of liability to compulsory insurance of owners of boats and owners of nets for the purpose of the National Insurance Act; and, if there has been such decision, on what grounds does he justify a complete reversal of the decision of the Court of Session?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)The opinion referred to in the Noble Lord's question given by the Solicitor-General and myself does not in any way conflict with the Court of Session decision which he mentions. Our opinion related solely to the interpretation of the provisions of the National Insurance Act.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEAm I to understand that it is the right hon. Gentleman's opinion that net fishermen are not in the same category as part-owners of boats?