§ 2. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of National Insurance if she is aware that the widow of a man who sustained a fatal injury at work is now deprived of claiming a lump sum settlement as compensation and that if she is over 50 years of age receives only 4s. a week above the normal widow's pension; and if she will consider paying a sum of money above the normal death benefit in cases of fatal accidents while following one's employment.
§ Dr. SummerskillI am satisfied that the decision of Parliament to abandon lump sum payments in favour of a weekly pension was in the best interests of these widows. In general, the provisions for widows of men suffering fatal injury at work are more favourable than those for other widows.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Minister aware that under the Workmen's Compensation Act it was entirely the liability of the employer to pay compensation, but that now the workman has to contribute towards that liability by paying 4d. a week under the Industrial Diseases Act and gets less compensation, owing to the loss of a lump sum settlement, than he previously received?
§ Dr. SummerskillI think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Under the Workmen's Compensation Act, a widow would get 10s. plus a maximum lump sum of £400, which, as an annuity at 50, would represent 9s. a week. He has, therefore, to compare the 19s. which she would get under the old Workmen's Compensation Act with the 30s. which she gets to-day.
§ Mr. AwberyMay I point out to my right hon. Friend that the ordinary widow gets 26s. a week, whereas the widow of a man who met with a fatal injury gets only 4s. above the minimum?