§ 57. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has under consideration the question of a comprehensive scheme of insurance for fishermen; and, if so, whether he can say when he will be in a position to make any statement of the Government's intentions?
§ Dr. ADDISONWith two quite minor exceptions persons employed in the fishing industry are ordinarily insurable under the National Health and Pensions Scheme. With regard to unemployment insurance I have nothing to add to the reply given on the 3rd July by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to my hon. Friend the Member for Berwick and Haddingtonshire (Mr. Sinkinson).
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what are these one or two minor exceptions?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, certainly. The case of share fishermen, where the catch 33 is divided in kind, is one exception, and the other exception is where the fisherman is over 65 years of age and was not an insured person on the 1st January, 1929.
§ Major McKENZIE WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to inform himself as to the opinion of fishermen with regard to the possibility or advisability of their being included in the unemployment scheme?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have been in consultation with fishermen for four hours today.