§ 17. Mr. TINKERasked the Home Secretary if returns are made to his Department of the failure of companies or concerns where the assets are not sufficient to meet the legal claims of workmen entitled to compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act; and, if so, how many failed during 1930 and 1931, giving separate figures for Lancashire?
§ Sir H. SAMUELMy Department is informed by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and the Mines Department of cases of failure among colliery undertakings, and it then makes inquiry through the liquidator or receiver in regard to the outstanding claims. These inquiries show that there were 10 cases in 1930 to 1931, including one Lancashire case, in which it is possible or probable that the assets may be insufficient but, so far as the Department is aware, in none of these cases has a final settlement been reached.