HC Deb 10 November 1952 vol 507 cc576-7
23. Mr. J. Taylor

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he can report on his talks with the Trades Union Congress on the subject of the differences between rates of compensation for silicosis and pneumoconiosis under the Workmen's Compensation Acts and benefit under the Industrial Injuries Act.

Mr. Peake

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown) and the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 27th October.

Mr. Taylor

Will the right hon. Gentleman concede that it is very unfortunate that there should be two rates for the same disability? Is it his intention to have one rate for total disability from this disease?

Mr. Peake

The reply which I gave a short time ago was to the effect that I am awaiting further representations from the Trades Union Congress on this matter. I should perhaps remind the hon. Member that workmen's compensation cases are not very numerous nowadays owing to the very large amount of commutation which has taken place in recent years.