§ 8. Sir Alfred Beitasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the representations from the Association of Chief Wardens, London Region, complaining of the inadequacy of war service injuries allowances for part-time, as opposed to full-time, Civil Defence workers; and whether he will now consider putting them on an equal footing.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)The scale of injury allowances payable under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme to Civil Defence workers who sustain injuries whilst engaged in Civil Defence duty is the same for whole-time and part-time members. I have received a letter from the Association of Chief Wardens (London Region) about the conditions under which local authorities are authorised to Make payments in supplementation of injury allowances. Upon this aspect of the matter I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Drake Division of Plymouth on 19th January last, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.
Sir A. BeltIs there not a great difference in the amount payable under the Civil Defence Workers (War Injuries) Scheme and under other schemes for men not engaged on Civil Defence?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir, there are differences.
Sir A. BeltThen my right hon. Friend has not answered the Question why part-time workers should, after 13 weeks, suffer a reduction in injuries payment as opposed to full-time workers?
§ Mr. MorrisonI wish my hon. Friend had made that clear in his Question. There are, of course, differences between the full-time Civil Defence worker, and the soldier for that matter, and the ordinary civilian. Part-time Civil Defence workers, including the great body of fire guards, are in a middling position. We could not get them all on the same basis.
§ Sir A. BeitIn view of the fact that my Question did not make the position clear, and in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.