§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a sum of £52,500 in the Senghenydd explosion fund, and that the recipients through death and other causes are so diminished that the above fund is being added to year by year through accumulating interest; and, seeing that the widows only receive 13s. 6d. per week, will he take steps to make the fund available for the payment of increased benefits?
1904W
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have been asked to reply. I am aware that the accumulated funds of this trust amounted to £52,500 odd on the 31st December last, but I am informed that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that they are being added to year by year through accumulating interest; on the contrary,, they are diminishing year by year, since the benefits paid exceed the income. The trust deed under which the fund is administered provides for an actuarial valuation every five years to see if the benefits can be increased, and there would be no need for me to take the action suggested even if I had the power, which I have not.