§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been drawn to a recent case in which the Wheelwrights and Coachmakers Operatives Union took proceedings on behalf of two members against the firm of Messrs. Lawton and Company, Cricklewood, for contravening the National Insurance Act, the magistrate inflicting a fine of 20s., with 40s. costs; and if he will state why the Commissioners did not initiate the proceedings instead of leaving it to the men's union to take action and to bear the consequent expenses?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThis case has been brought to my notice. I am informed that the insurance Commissioners had no knowledge of the matter until proceedings had been instituted. If invited to do so they would certainly have been prepared to give the complainants all the assistance that could properly be afforded seven if they did not feel justified in taking proceedings themselves.