§ Sir C. Edwardsasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware of the large number of persons who were injured before 1924 and consequently have not had their compensation increased like all other injured workmen; to what extent this is the liability of coal-owners; how is it to be dealt with when the mines are nationalised; and what the proposals of the Government are in relation to these men.
§ Mr. LindgrenWorkmen injured before 1st January, 1924, continue to be entitled to the benefits of the Workmen's Compensation (War Addition) Acts passed in 1917 and 1919, but it was not found practicable to extend to them the414W increases provided by recent wartime legislation. The liability at present rests on the coal owners or their insurers. I cannot say how this liability will be affected when the mines are nationalised. Under Clause 81 of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Bill, it is proposed that the right to an employability supplement and constant attendance allowance should be extended in appropriate circumstances to these as to other past cases of industrial injury.