§ 50. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the growing demand among the miners of the country for the allocation of some portion of the proceeds of the miners' welfare levy for the purpose of assisting in the establishment of retiring pensions for aged miners; and whether, in view of the prosperity of the industry, as revealed in the last statistical summary issued by his Department, he will consider taking steps to increase the amount of the 1988 tonnage levy and to provide for the allocation of the increased levy to a pension fund?
§ Captain CrookshankThe financial resources of the Miners' Welfare Fund are at present under consideration in relation to the urgent demands for pithead baths. In view of these and other calls upon the fund, I can see no possibility of its scope being extended so as to provide for pensions.
§ Mr. GriffithsSince the Minister is going to give consideration to the possibility, or desirability, of expanding the resources of the fund in the only way that can be done, by increasing the levy, will he not consider the growing demand that part of the proceeds should be allocated for the establishment of a pensions fund?
§ Captain CrookshankThat seems to me to be the same question as that on the Paper, which I have just answered.
§ Mr. GriffithsDoes the answer mean that the Minister will refuse to give any consideration to the possibility of allocating any part of the money to a pensions fund?
§ Captain CrookshankI have said that I see no possibility of the scope of the fund being extended.