HC Deb 17 May 1972 vol 837 cc118-9W
87. Mr. Latham

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list the provisions of the Industrial Injuries Act which cover Members, Officers of the House, and staff including Members' secretaries and research assistants, and the redress available to them in the event of their suffering an accident in the Palace of Westminster or its precincts.

Mr. R. Carr

The employments for which insurance is provided under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1965, are set out in Schedule 1 of the Act and in the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Insurable and Excepted Employments Regulations (SI 1948 No. 1456). These employments are, broadly speaking, employments under a contract of service or analogous conditions and, consequently, Members of the House are not covered.

Officers and other officials of the House and staff employed by Members under a contract of service are insured under the Act against personal injury caused by accident arising out of and in the course of their insurable employment, whether or not within the Palace of Westminster or its precincts. The position of Members under the National Insurance Act is at present being re-examined in accordance with the Boyle Committee recommendations.