§ 16. Mr. SIMMasked the Minister of Labour in what position are the persons injured in the Levant Mine accident and the widows and dependants of those unfortunately killed with respect to insurance and compensation; will he indicate what steps are being taken to deal with this aspect of the matter; with what insurance company were the Levant Mine 1293 Company insured for purposes of workmen's compensation; and can he supply any details with respect to settlements?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The injured workmen and the dependants of those killed are entitled to receive compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act from their employers, who, I am informed, are insured so far as the fatal cases are concerned with the Excess Insurance Company. I understand that the employers are paying compensation to the injured and that steps are being taken to settle the amount of the compensation in the fatal cases, the dependants meanwhile receiving weekly payments from a local fund.
§ 17. Mr. SIMMasked the Minister of Labour how many persons are thrown out of work in consequence of the Levant Mine disaster, Cornwall; what was the total number in receipt of unemployment benefit for the last known week in the town of St. Just, Cornwall; whether be can state what were the average wages, approximately, of the tin miners employed in this mine for the four weeks preceding the accident; what steps have been taken to provide relief work for those thrown out of employment; and whether any date can be given at which work will be resumed in the mine?
§ Sir R. HORNEI understand that 280 men out of a total of about 350 were thrown out of work at this mine, and that eighty-nine ex-members of His Majesty's forces and 115 civilians claimed out-of-work donation. The civilians ceased to draw donation when the scheme for civilian donation terminated on 24th November. The ex-members of His Majesty's forces are still on donation. I am informed that the approximate average wage of the tin miners employed in the Levant Mine, for the four weeks preceding the accident, was from 10s. to 11s. per day per man. No relief work has been commenced for those thrown out of employment, but everything possible is being done through the local Employment Exchange to find employment for those who are willing to accept work temporarily in other districts. The management are, I understand, reinstating men as work can be found for them, but they are unable to state at present when a general resumption of work will be made.