HL Deb 26 July 1955 vol 193 cc976-7

2.43 p.m.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, this Order is no more than an amendment of the rates of benefit of the revised scheme which was approved by this House on March 23 of this year. The scheme which the House then approved was consequent on the passing of the National Insurance Act of 1954. Since that time the Government Actuary, in his capacity as adviser to the Trustees, has carried out a comprehensive review of the whole scheme. As a result of this review, it is now possible to increase the maximum benefits under the scheme from 22s. 6d. to 25s. a week. This rate applies to supplementary injury benefit and also to 100 per cent. disablement benefit, and there are corresponding increases to juveniles. The supplementary disablement gratuity is increased from its present proportion of one-quarter of the basic disablement gratuity under the Industrial Injuries Act to one-third. There are also increases to supplementary widows' pensions.

The Order also introduces a new supplementary benefit. This is a gratuity payable on the remarriage of a widow entitled to a widow's supplementary pension. It will be at the rate of one-third of the gratuity awarded to her under the main Industrial Injuries Act. The scheme is now costing rather over £3- million, and these proposals will mean an additional cost of £270,000 for the first full year. This cost will be borne by the existing contributors—that is, the National Coal Board and those engaged in the mining industry, without any additional contribution. Of course, there is no grant from the Exchequer for this scheme. I feel sure that the scheme will be welcomed by your Lordships' House. I beg to move that the Order be approved.

Moved, That the Draft National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) (Colliery Workers Supplementary Scheme) Amendment (No. 2) Order, 1955, reported from the Special Orders Committee on Wednesday last, be approved.—(The Earl of Selkirk.)

VISCOUNT HALL

My Lords, in thanking the noble Earl, Lord Selkirk, for his explanation of this draft Order, I should like to tell him and the Minister of Fuel and Power that the miners are very grateful for the expedition with which this Order has been brought forward. As the noble Earl has rightly said, it provides additional benefits for a number of disabled men and for the widows of men who have been fatally injured in the mining industry. The amounts are not very large but they are welcome and on behalf of the National Union of Mineworkers and on my own behalf I thank the Government for their expedition in this matter.

On Question, Motion agreed to.