HC Deb 26 March 1974 vol 871 cc268-9
20. Mr. Robert Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the country's need for export contracts, she will introduce legislation to amend Section 5(4) of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act 1965 to admit to benefits workers who are injured when working abroad who in other respects satisfy the conditions for benefit.

Mr. O'Malley

A general extension of the industrial injuries scheme to cover overseas accidents has been carefully considered on a number of occasions, but the conclusion has always been that such extension would be impracticable mainly because of the difficulty in establishing whether the conditions governing title to benefit were satisfied. There are, however, reciprocal agreements with 20 countries whereby industrial accidents occurring in those countries to employees who are there temporarily in the service of a British employer are covered by our scheme and we shall continue the policy of extending cover in this way wherever possible.

Mr. Edwards

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are many countries in which grave social injustice arises where workers are injured and where there are no joint arrangements and the employer has taken out no insurance? Will my hon. Friend at least urge employers to take out insurance in these exceptional circumstances?

Mr. O'Malley

Yes, I would be pleased to do so.