§ 72. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that a self-employed small farmer recently lost three fingers and part of his right hand 64W in an accident with a circular saw he was operating; that he receives no compensation nor the full increased rate of benefit that goes to an employed man under the National Health Insurance Act; and, in view of the correspondence sent to him, if he will introduce legislation to amend the Act to include self-employed people.
§ Mr. SteeleI have seen a Press report on the case to which the hon. Member refers. The possibility of extending the Industrial Injuries scheme to self-employed persons was examined very fully during the passage of the Bill and it was generally recognised that it was not practicable to include them.