58. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade if he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails among members of the workmen's panels in connection with Part II. of the National Insurance Act, regarding the different scales upon which they are paid, and the inquisition they have to undergo as to the time occupied in attending the meetings of the panels; whether he can see his way to pay a fixed fee for attendances at the meetings; and 'whether he can arrange for the fees and expenses being paid at the end of each meeting instead of at the end of three or four months, as at present?
Mr. ROBERTSONService on these panels is regarded as voluntary and unpaid and the payments referred to are intended simply to reimburse the member for any reasonable expense and/or direct loss of earnings involved in such attendance. It is, therefore, in accordance with the general practice on this matter to 2493 graduate the payments in accordance with the time occupied and other circumstances. The actual scale of expenses is identical with that paid to members of Advisory Trade Committees under the Labour Exchanges Act. As regards the latter part of the question, the actual travelling expenses incurred are paid at the end of the meeting. Claims to subsistence and compensation for loss of time have to be supported by written claims which need closer examination and cannot, therefore, be paid immediately, but every effort is and will be made to avoid unnecessary delay in the matter, and if my hon. Friend will give me any instance of excessive delay, I shall be glad to have inquiries made into it.