55. Major HENDERSONasked whether in December, 1912, the Insurance Commissioners authorised their inspectors to make terms with farmers who were resisting the Insurance Act, that on behalf of the Commissioners Mr. Curtis Bennett made an offer to the committee of the Berkshire League to the effect that if the league as a body would advise their members to work the Act thenceforward no proceedings would be initiated by the Commissioners against them, provided there was no complaint from insured persons who could not otherwise obtain benefits equal to those under the Act, and that the Berkshire League in consequence of this offer advised their members to work the Act and pay their employes benefits as they became entitled to them; and, if so, will he explain why prosecu- 375 tions have been instituted at Sommer-ford, Witney, and Wallingford, in contravention of the agreement entered upon between members of the Berkshire League and Mr. Curtis Bennett?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, Sir. When the Commissioners learnt that a circular had been issued by the Berkshire Farmers' League to the effect that an offer of some kind had been made, it was clear that there had been some misunderstanding, and the Commissioners at once instructed the inspector in question to take immediate steps to remove any misunderstanding, and this was done before third quarters' contributions became payable. The inspector interviewed the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary of the league immediately before the meeting of the league, and explained to them that the Commissioners could not undertake to initiate no proceedings (as suggested in the hon. Member's question) and that they had no power to excuse arrears in any circumstances. A statement to this effect in the clearest possible terms was at the same time widely circulated in the Press, and I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. In instituting the proceedings referred to by the hon. Member the Commissioners are merely carrying out their statutory duty of taking such measures as may be necessary to secure the payment of the contributions due under the Act.
Major HENDERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this offer was made to the secretary of the league in the presence of four members of the committee, and would the right hon. Gentleman meet those gentlemen?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not think that is so, but I will make further inquiries if the hon. Gentleman likes.
Major HENDERSONMay I ask whether one of the witnesses was in the latter part of February interviewed by the inspector with reference to a list of sixty of his employés, four of whom had left his service on whose cards he was asked to put stamps, and whether the names of the remainder were not ruled through?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not know what the hon. Member means by agreement. No agreement can be made outside the law. You cannot connive at an illegal offence.