HC Deb 16 December 1948 vol 459 cc210-1W
130. Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that Mr. Joseph Bray, 19, Fernley Villas, Newton Cramlington, was injured at the age of 16 years whilst working underground as a miner in 1914, having a leg crushed and amputated, and is now employed on light work, on the surface at 16s. 7d. per shift, including 1s. a shift semi-skilled money, and therefore is now only in receipt of 2d. per week compensation; and whether he will take steps to increase the compensation paid in this case.

Mr. Steele

My right hon. Friend has no power to intervene in regard to the rights of injured workmen under the Workmen's Compensation Acts. As regards the possibility of applying the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act to cases which occurred before that Act came into force, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I am sending him in reply to another Question. I would also remind my hon. Friend that an agreed scheme was recently worked out between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers covering injured miners in receipt of workmen's compensation, and the question whether this scheme covers the present case should no doubt be considered if that has not been done already.

131. Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Minister of National Insurance, in view of his undertaking to the hon. Member for Upton, what action he is taking to bring pre-1924 partial incapacity cases under the provisions of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1946.

Mr. Steele

I regret that at present it is not possible to add anything to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 23rd March in reply to a somewhat similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown). I am sending a copy of this statement to my hon. Friend.

Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) if he is aware that Mr. Robert Johnson, 1 South Row, Klondyke Estate, Cramlington, was injured in 1913 whilst employed underground as a coal-cutter, having his spine fractured, and is now employed on the surface at 15s. 7d. per shift, and receives no workmen's compensation; and what action he proposes to take to ensure the payment of compensation in this and similar cases;

(2) if he is aware that there are many miners who sustained injuries prior to 1924, who are now only able to do light work with a very low wage but who receive no workmen's compensation; and what action he proposes to take to improve their position.

Mr. Steele

I can only refer to the statement I am sending my hon. Friend in reply to another question he has asked on the same topic.

Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the number of persons in the category known as the pre-1924 partial incapacity cases for the purpose of workmen's compensation.

Mr. Steele

I regret that this information is not available.