HL Deb 28 October 1954 vol 189 cc806-7

3.14 p.m.

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF MUNSTER) rose to move, That the Pneumoconiosis and Byssinosis Benefit Amendment Draft Scheme, 1954, be approved. The noble Earl said: I beg to move the first of the Motions which stand in my name, and it will probably be for the convenience of the House that. I should make a few brief remarks upon it. The Industrial Diseases Benefit Act, 1954, enables the Minister to extend the Pneumoconiosis and Byssinosis Benefit Scheme of 1952 to cover the partially disabled, and this amendment scheme, which I now present to the House, is designed to make that extension. This scheme, like the 1952 scheme for the totally disabled, applies to persons suffering from those diseases where they have been or are unable to claim compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts or benefit under the Industrial Injuries Act. This scheme will apply in all cases where the disease is confirmed and was contracted in the course of work before July 5, 1948, because in those cases no benefits or compensation can be claimed under the Acts which I have previously mentioned. I think I should point out that the benefit for partial disablement will be a flat rate allowance of £1 a week, and this allowance is, of course, in addition to any benefit under the National Insurance Scheme to which the beneficiary may be entitled. I think there is universal agreement amongst all Parties about this scheme. Therefore, with those few words, I beg to move the Motion which stands in my name.

Moved, That the Pneumoconiosis and Byssinosis Benefit Amendment Draft Scheme, 1954, be approved.—(The Earl of Munster.)

VISCOUNT HALL

My Lords with all my colleagues and, I am sure, with all the mining fraternity in this country. I welcome this Order. It stops about the last gap we can think of in the giving of some compensation to the many sufferers from these diseases in this country. We are very grateful to the Government and to the noble Earl for bringing this matter forward.

On Question, Motion agreed to.