§ Mr. M'GHEEasked the Secretary to the Treasury what action is being taken to prepare a scheme providing pensions or superannuation allowances to seamen, in accordance with Section 48 of the National Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANUnder Section 48 (7) of the National Insurance Act the scheme to which the hon. Member refers has to be prepared by the committee of management of the Seamen's National Insurance Society with the approval of the1984W Board of Trade and the Insurance Commissioners. I am informed that the committee of management have the matter under their serious consideration, and hope very soon to be in a position to submit a draft scheme for approval.
§ Mr. McGHEEasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many stamped cards have been sent to the National Health Insurance Commission in respect of seamen who have deserted, failed to join their ship, or died, or seamen who have lost their cards during the first quarter of the operation of the National Insurance Act; and what steps are being taken to transmit to the respective approved societies the cards of those seamen who are members of an approved society?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe National Health Insurance Commission (England) have received 1,700 cards of deserters and men who have failed to join their ships, and 100 of dead men. The number of seamen's lost cards cannot at present be separately stated. Forms have already been sent to the principal societies affected inviting them to apply for any cards of their members which they have reason to believe are in the possession of the Commissioners.