§ 8. Mr. JOHNasked the Home Secretary whether he has now completed his inquiry; and will he now state whether he will inroduce this Session a Bill making it compulsory on all colliery companies to insure with an insurance company against workmen's compensation risk?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir. The inquiries have not yet been completed. A list of colliery companies reported to have gone into liquidation since 1st January, 1927, has been complied, and I have now written to the liquidators in each case asking for information in regard to any cases in which the workmen or their dependants have suffered or are likely to suffer any loss of compensation, and also in regard to the extent to which the companies have been insured or made other provision to meet their liabilities. The liquidators have been pressed for an early reply, and will no doubt let me have the information as soon as practicable, hut meanwhile I am afraid I can add nothing to my previous statements.
§ Mr. MACLEANDoes not the Home Secretary think it might he desirable for the Government to institute a scheme of national insurance to cover this sort of thing?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThis Government, at all events, never acts without full consideration, and, to enable me to give that consideration to this difficult matter, I am getting the information for which the hon. Member asked.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe last supplementary question did not arise out of the answer.
§ Mr. JOHNDoes not the Home Secretary believe that the information which he has in his possession is adequate to warrant him in producing a Bill to protect these people who are suffering at this time?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI can assure the House that the information is not complete, and until it is complete it would he most improper to introduce legislation.
§ Mr. TINKERWhen the right hon. Gentleman gets the information, will he make a statement to the House on the position?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSCertainly.