§ 25. Mr. TINKERasked the Home Secretary if he is now in a position to make a statement in respect of compulsory insurance to cover all workmen who come within the Workmen's Compensation Act?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo general scheme of compulsory insurance is under consideration, but, as the hon. Member knows, communications have passed between the Home Office and the Mining Association with a view to safeguarding the workmen and their dependants in the event of future colliery liquidations by an extension of the present system of mutual insurance or otherwise. As a result of these communications I am assured that active steps are being taken with this object in every coalfield and that considerable progress have been made. For example, in South Wales the Articles of Association of the Mutual Indemnity Society have now been altered so as to give cover for all classes of accidents and 90 per cent. of the collieries are reported to be now within the scheme. Progress is being made and I hope to receive before long from the Mining Association a full statement of the position.
§ Mr. TINKERIn case the right hon. Gentleman does not get satisfaction as regards the suggested schemes, will he consider bringing in legislation during the next Session to make insurance compulsory?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI think my answer shows that very considerable progress is being made.
§ Mr. DAVID GRENFELLIs the Minister aware that in connection with 1132 the mutual indemnity insurance scheme in South Wales, in a large number of cases, owing to the conditions of premiums or policies, employers may find themselves without any insurance fund at all, in the event of a company going into liquidation and that there is no adequate safeguard for the insured people?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI understand that that may have been so, but that the articles of association have been amended.
§ Mr. GRENFELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that even to this day men working in firms connected with the mutual indemnity scheme are not properly covered by insurance?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIf the hon. Member has any information on that point, I shall he glad to go into it.
§ Mr. HICKSIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware of the large number of employers in other industries apart from coal-mining who do not insure for workmen's compensation, and will he take steps to see that they do so?
§ 26. Mr. TINKERasked the Home Secretary if he is in a position to say what is the total amount of compensation paid, under the Workmen's Compensation Act, to those persons who were entitled to it when the Worsley Mesnes collieries and the Ashton Green collieries, both in Lancashire, closed down?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am making further inquiry as to the up-to-date position in these cases, and will communicate with the hon. Member when I receive the replies.
§ Mr. TINKERWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether he is aware that it is now three years since the Worsley Mesnes colliery closed down, and 12 months since the Ashton Green collieries closed down, and that not one penny piece has been paid to these workmen yet?