§ 38. Mr. ROBERT M'LARENasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction existing among the insurance agents of the Prudential Assurance Company, Limited, owing to the fact that no war bonus has been paid them, although repeatedly asked for; and if he will communicate with the company and endeavour to have the matter satisfactorily settled so as to avoid trouble?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am aware that insurance agents have asked for a war bonus, but I would remind my hon. Friend that a Committee inquired into this matter last year, and found that the financial position of the companies did not allow of the payment of any war bonus. I do not think that the circumstances are such as to justify any interference on my part.
§ Mr. M'LARENCould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the conditions of the employment of these industrial agents comes within the reference of the Committee recently set up?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am not aware to which Committee my hon. Friend refers, but I understand that the Board of Trade propose to deal with the same question.
§ Mr. M'LARENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee I refer to was announced as a Committee on Industrial Assurance?
§ Sir R. HORNEThat is a matter for the Board of Trade.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shares in these companies have advanced considerably since the Committee reported?
§ Sir R. HORNEIt is not my business to keep in touch with the share prices of these companies.
54. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst the agents and collectors of industrial assurance companies throughout the country on account of the terms and conditions of their employment; and if, under these circumstances, he will reconsider the desirability of including a specific reference to their case when appointing the Committee to inquire into industrial life assurance and of including a direct representative of the agents and collectors on the Committee?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 5th May by my right hon. Friend to the question addressed to the Prime Minister by the Noble and gallant Lord the Member for Horsham and Worthing (Major Earl Winterton) in which the composition of the Committee and the terms of reference were stated. From this answer it will be seen that it has been decided not to include representatives of the insurance agents, but consideration of their case is undoubtedly not excluded by the terms of reference Applications have been received from some of the associations which represent insurance agents to be allowed to give evidence, and such applications will be submitted to the Committee.