§ 19. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that miners attending public inquiries receive an allowance of only 30s. per day; that this allowance is based on such figure as would be allowed to a witness attending on citation the High Court of Justiciary; and, in view of the fact that the cost of living and earnings have risen substantially since the sum of 30s. was fixed, whether he will now review the rate of such allowances.
§ Mr. MaclayI agree that there is a case for reviewing the present limit on the loss of earnings allowance for witnesses cited in criminal proceedings. Such a review is now in hand, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as a decision is reached.
§ Mr. HamiltonFor once, that is a very satisfactory reply. Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the report will be available, and whether consideration has been given to securing a relationship between the earnings and the sum granted to these men, who, after all, are compelled to attend these inquiries?
§ Mr. MaclayI hope that the decision will be given fairly soon, but all these points are being looked at.