§ Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of colliery companies which have gone into liquidation in the South Wales coalfield during the last three years and the total amount of their liabilities to creditors?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSThe Board of Trade have no information available which would enable me to answer this question.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Home Secretary the number of disabled workmen and dependants of men killed in the coal mines of South Wales who have lost their legal compensation owing to the liquidation of the collieries where they had been employed; and whether he contemplates taking measures which will give security to men employed in the industry that their legal claims will be safeguarded?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am sorry that I cannot give the hon. Member any information in regard to the first part of this question. As regards the second part, Section 7 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, gives the workmen of a bankrupt employer the benefit of any policy of insurance which the employer may have effected against his liabilities under the Act, and also gives them priority in the distribution of the property over ordinary creditors. No further measures are in contemplation.