HC Deb 22 September 1931 vol 256 c1446
7. Mr. EDE

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the total expenditure to date out of the Welfare Fund; and is any alteration of policy anticipated?

Mr. FOOT

The total payments made out of the Miners' Welfare Fund to 18th September, 1931, amounted to £9,147,801. No alteration of policy has been under consideration, as a Committee of inquiry was appointed in July last.

Mr. SHINWELL

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the Committee will report?

Mr. FOOT

I understand that the Committee has made certain preliminary arrangements. It was only appointed in July by my predecessor, under the chairmanship of Viscount Chelmsford, and I have no report as to their progress, but I shall obtain that later.

Mr. EDE

Can the hon. Gentleman give us the terms of reference to the Committee?

Mr. FOOT

The terms of reference were these: To inquire how far the objects of Section 20 of the Mining Industry Act, 1920, have been met, what remains to be done, and whether the scope of the fund and the existing machinery for its administration as defined in that Section and as developed in practice are satisfactory for the future; and to report on all these matters with particular reference to the question of the amount and duration of the levy in the future.