§ 65. Mr. HICKSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that W. H. Nabney, of 49, The Avenue, Newcastle, Staffs, who was injured by accident in the course of his employment has failed to obtain any compensation under an award of the Hanley County Court, on 23rd April, owing to the fact that his employer has been an undischarged bankrupt since 1932 and had failed to insure against accidents to his workmen; and whether, in view of this case and others to which his attention has been drawn, he will introduce legislation to prevent bankrupts from employing labour except under the control and supervision of their trustees in bankruptcy whose duty it shall be to ensure that the risks are adequately covered by insurance?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)I understand that Mr. Nabney's employers are a firm carrying on a business in succession to that previously carried on by a bankrupt, and that the proprietors of the firm are stated to be persons other than the bankrupt. I have no knowledge of the other cases to which 1198 the hon. Member refers, but there are serious administrative objections to his suggestion that trustees in bankruptcy, whose statutory responsibilities are now exercised on behalf of the creditors in the bankruptcy, should be given additional responsibilities on behalf of potential post-bankruptcy creditors.
§ Mr. HICKSIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the name or names of the persons carrying on the business are not registered under the Business Names Registration Act, 1916, and will he take steps to see that they are registered in order that the workpeople that are so engaged may have some security?
§ Dr. BURGINThat, of course, is another point. I understand that the ostensible proprietors are two men, Keys and Rushton, who are trading as Thomas Godwin and Son.