HL Deb 21 February 1952 vol 175 cc189-90

THE EARL OF SELKIRK moved, That the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) (Colliery Workers Supplementary Scheme) Amendment Order, 1952, as reported from the Special Orders Com- mittee, be approved. The noble Earl said: My Lords, under the National Insurance Acts, the Minister is given power to approve and to help in administering schemes submitted to him jointly by any class of workers and their employers, adding to the benefits already given under the Insurance Acts. One such scheme has already been put into operation—that is, the Colliery Workers Industrial Injuries Supplementary Scheme. This scheme is a slight amendment to the one already in existence, and arises from the recommendations of the National Committee. It admits certain small classes of persons into the benefits of the scheme. They include certain check-weighers, pick-sharpeners, workmen's inspectors and one or two other classes.

There are two further small matters I might mention. One is the manner in which the benefits under the scheme will be assessed. This is always a complicated matter and I will describe it briefly. The supplement on disablement pension is calculated by reference to the pre-accident earnings compared with the post-accident earnings plus National Insurance benefit. The amendment will be this: that the benefits under National Insurance, except industrial injuries benefit payable in respect of any colliery accident or disease, will be excluded. Where it would benefit a man, he may take the national minimum, as laid down by the National Conciliation Board, as his pre-accident earnings. The other point is that, where a man is awarded damages at Common Law, the powers of the National Committee are made slightly wider to deal with the very few cases where a man refuses to refund the money. These are, very small additions to the structure of the social services of this country, which I am sure your Lordships will agree will always require re-adapting and re-aligning in the light of experience and the changing requirements of the community. I beg to move.

Moved, That the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) (Colliery Workers Supplementary Scheme) Amendment Order, 1952, as reported from the Special Orders Committee, be approved.—(The Earl of Selkirk.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.