§ 5. Mr. Prenticeasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what plans he has to increase the supplementary benefit paid to totally disabled persons who were compensated under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and benefits paid under the Pneumoconiosis and Byssinosis Benefit Schemes.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI would refer the hon. Member to what I said on this subject on 22nd November during the Committee stage of this Session's National Insurance Bill.
§ Mr. PrenticeIs there any justification whatever for the fact that there has been no increase in these benefits since 1956, when these older casualties of industry were brought roughly into line with people under the Industrial Injuries Act, although there have been two increases in the benefits under that Act since 1956? May I appeal to the Minister to look especially at this matter with a view to possible legislation in the next Session?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have expressed my view at some length in the speech to which I have invited the hon. Member's 863 attention, and to which I have nothing to add.
§ Miss HerbisonDoes not the Minister remember that on the occasion of a previous Bill he expressed his view that these people should be on the same scale as the others? Has he changed his mind? Many of these people feel that they are being most unjustly treated by the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, I have never expressed the view as a matter of principle that those in the old scheme should be on the current industrial injury rates. The hon. Lady is confused by the fact that one of those rates—that for certain married people—happened temporarily at one time to coincide.