HC Deb 05 May 1925 vol 183 cc760-1
46. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has formed any estimate of the total overhead charge falling upon the iron and steel trades, heavy and finished, of this country by reason of their payments under the proposed contributory insurance scheme?

Sir K. WOOD

I have been asked to reply. The proposed contributory insurance scheme is framed on a national basis and not on the basis of segregation of industries. Estimates of the produce of the contributions and the value of the benefits have, therefore, been prepared for the scheme as a single whole, but are not available for each separate industry.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

In view of this very serious additional charge upon an industry which is making no profits at the present time, would it not be possible to calculate what this charge will involve on the iron and steel industry of this country?

Sir K. WOOD

I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to put that question down, but I would remind him that there was issued this morning a very exhaustive White Paper from the Government Actuary, in which he will see that a large number of the aspects of this matter are discussed.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

The question on the Paper is what the iron and steel trades will have to bear, and I should have thought it could be answered.

Sir K. WOOD

The answer is that no separate calculation has been made.

Mr. MACQU ISTEN

Is it possible to find out the burden imposed on the workers in these particular industries by the large sums of money that they are compelled to contribute for the upkeep of the "Daily Herald "?

Mr. W. THORNE

Can the hon. Gentleman state one single case where there is a burden placed on the workers to support the "Daily Herald "?

Sir H. CROFT

It is burden enough to read it.