§ 56. Mr. Benjamin Smithasked the Home Secretary whether it is intended this Session to introduce legislation to bring within the scope of the Workmen's Compensation Act taximeter-cab drivers working for employers who are buying their cabs on the hire-purchase system.
§ Sir S. HoareA Bill dealing with this point has now been introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Cary).
§ 61. Mr. Sextonasked the Home Secretary how much of the £5,305,843 premiums mentioned on page 7 of Cmd. 5557 (Workmen's Compensation Statistics, 1935) was paid to injured workmen and dependants of workmen fatally injured?
§ Sir S. HoareThe Board of Trade Returns quoted on page 7 show that 64.34 per cent. of the premiums mentioned was expended in payments under policies, including medical and legal expenses in connection therewith. They do not give such expenses separately, but for insurance companies belonging to the Accident Offices Association they are estimated at about 4¼ per cent. of the premium income.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsDoes it not show the great necessity for State insurance for compensation when this 36 per cent. goes to the company?
§ Mir. SextonIs the Home Secretary aware that the workers in this country, 1114 owing to the reluctance of the Government to give the actual figures, believe they are being exploited? Is there any possible means of getting the exact figure paid to the injured or to the dependants of those who are killed?
§ Sir S. HoareI am not aware that there is a general feeling of discontent, but I will look further into the matter and see whether it is possible to give more figures. The wider issue raised by the hon. Member can much better be debated on the Workmen's Compensation Bill when it is introduced in a week or two weeks.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment benefit is administered with less than a quarter of the expenditure?