§ 19. Sir J. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, with regard to the proposed new scheme for payment of pensions to seamen and fishermen under the Royal Seamen's Pension Fund, he can state what steps have been taken to safeguard the interests of Scottish applicants for pensions; and whether he will be prepared to receive representations from Scottish Members of Parliament interested in the matter regarding the provisions contained in the new scheme?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI presume that in his reference to Scottish applicants for pensions my hon. and learned Friend has the interests of Scottish fishermen particularly in view. I have had an opportunity of considering the proposed new scheme in its bearing on the interests of fishermen, and my views have been represented to the Board of Trade. The subject is also on the agenda of a meeting of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee which is being held to-day. As regards the last part of the question, I shall be very glad to consider any representations which Scottish Members may wish to send me on this subject.
§ Sir J. DUNCAN MILLARWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation of Scottish Members interested in this matter to put their views before him?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRCertainly, I should be very glad to receive a deputation, but I think it would be helpful if views could be sent in, because a number of Departments are concerned, and it would be necessary that those views should be before the Board.
§ 73. Sir J. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Minister of Health if he can state separately the number of pensions awarded to seamen and fishermen, respectively, from the Royal Seamen's Pension Fund during the present year?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)I am informed by the Governing Body of the Royal Seamen's Pension Fund that during the present year they have awarded 431 pensions to seamen and 28 to fishermen.
§ Sir J. DUNCAN MILLARCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the governing body of the fund have suspended the operation of the scheme mainly so far as the fishermen are concerned, until the whole scheme has been readjusted; and is there any justification for withholding pensions from those who have qualified under the old scheme?
§ Mr. BROWNI should like notice of the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, amendments of the scheme whereby the fishermen will be placed in a more favourable position than they have been recently, are at this moment under the consideration of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee, in consultation with the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour. If my hon. and learned Friend has any facts relating to this question which he would like to place before us, we shall be glad to receive them.