§ Mr. Henry WhiteTo the Honourable Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, I desire to present a humble petition organised by the National Union of Mineworkers and others in the mining community, which is supported by almost every branch of the National Union of Mineworkers and other industrial workers. It is signed by 42,000 persons, who have the support of over 260,000 others, and this support was enlisted in a very few days.
The Petition protests against the refusal to renew the provisions of Section 62 of the National Insurance Act, 1946, for thereby hardship and humiliation are caused to many who have been disabled by injury and disease in industry as well as during war service.
Section 62 provided for extended unemployment benefit after application had been made to the local tribunal, but the present position is that such benefits are paid according to the individual's contributions and employment records, and when these benefits expire, the disabled are left with no other course but to apply for National Assistance. Thus, when their needs are ascertained, compensation and disablement benefit are taken into account, and, hence, there is a lowering of their standard of income at a time when food costs are very high. This imposes a hardship on these unfortunate individuals.
Wherefore, your Petitioners pray that steps be taken to re-instate the provisions of Section 62 of the said Act, and your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.To lie upon the Table.