22. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners (1) what remuneration is paid to the insurance agents employed to do the work of the following approved societies: the Prudential, the National Amalgamated, the Liverpool Victoria Legal, the Royal Liver, and the Scottish Legal; and (2) whether he has received any representations from insurance agents employed to do the work in relation to individual members to the effect that their remuneration is inadequate; whether he has made any investigation into the conditions of their employment; and whether he has made any and, if so, what reply to the representations of the agents?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)As I have already stated in answer to similar questions, the Commissioners have no power to interfere in this matter, which is to be settled between approved societies and their employés, and a reply to this effect has been sent to any representations received on the subject.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDDoes the hon. Member admit that he has received representations from numerous agents in different parts of the country as to the inadequate remuneration they get for so much work?
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTAre these agents not paid out of public funds voted by this House, and under these circumstances is it not a proper subject of inquiry what remuneration is paid to these agents?
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWhat is the amount of the portion of the remuneration paid to the agents in connection with their services under the Act?
§ Mr. BENNI could not say without notice. The hon. Member is aware that two-ninths of all the charges of the benefits is borne by the State.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILFor what reason bas the hon. Member not replied to the first question asked by the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. MacCallum Scott)?
§ Mr. BOOTHIs my hon. Friend aware that all the workers of all the approved societies generally complain about inadequate remuneration?