HC Deb 14 December 1933 vol 284 cc519-20
26. Mr. TINKER

asked the Home Secretary if he is in a position to say what colliery companies have submitted schemes to him respecting the insurance of workmen under the Workmen's Compensation Act; whether such schemes meet with his approval as being an adequate safeguard; and will he say if any county or district has failed to place schemes before him?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I would refer the hon. Member, as regards the procedure adopted in this matter, to the reply which I gave him on the 20th July, and as regards the present position to the statement which I made on the 27th of last month in reply to the hon. Member for Whitehaven (Mr. Nunn). As regards Lancashire, I am glad to say that a new Mutual Indemnity Association has now been established with power to deal with cases of disablement, and that the Articles of another Association are being altered to cover such cases.

Mr. TINKER

If a scheme from Lancashire meets with his approval, will the right hon. Gentleman submit the same to the Miners Federation of Great Britain to see what they think about it?

Sir J. GILMOUR

As far as I am aware considerable progress has been made in making an arrangement to deal with this problem. It may well be that we may have to make other alterations as time goes on.

Mr. TINKER

If satisfaction is not given within a month or two, will the right hon. Gentleman help forward a private Member's Bill on the matter?

Mr. LAWSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much longer this kind of thing is to go on causing suffering and injury? Cannot the Government do something in this case?

Mr. PIKE

May I ask if the Socialist party attempted to do anything during their last period of office?

Mr. TINKER

Yes, we did.