HC Deb 21 December 1944 vol 406 cc1935-6
47. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Prime Minister whether the Home Secretary or the Minister of National Insurance will be in charge of the Industrial Injuries Insurance Bill; and which Minister will in future be responsible for the administration of the existing Workmen's Compensation Acts.

Mr. Attlee

As the Industrial Injuries Insurance Bill will provide that the central administrative responsibility shall rest on the Minister of National Insurance, it has been arranged between the Home Secretary and the Minister that responsibility for the further work in connection with the Bill shall be transferred to the latter Minister. It is also proposed that there shall be at an early date an Order in Council transferring to the Minister the functions at present exercised by the Home Secretary under the existing law relating to Workmen's Compensation.

Mr. Smith

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are very satisfactory consultative arrangements between the Home Office officials and the representative organisations engaged in industry, and is it the intention of the Government to maintain those arrangements under the new Ministry?

Mr. Attlee

Oh, yes, Sir. All those arrangements will be retained.

Sir H. Williams

Will the Inspectorate of Factories be transferred to the same Ministry, as it has a close connection with the matter?

Mr. Attlee

That appears to be another question.

Sir H. Williams

Oh, no, industrial injuries do occur in factories.